WNBA keeps up momentum by naming DraftKings as its new sports betting and DFS partner

US sports betting giant DraftKings has signed an agreement to become the Women’s National Basketball Association’s (WNBA) sports betting and daily fantasy sports (DFS) partner. Under the terms of the deal, the operator will receive rights to the league and collective team IP and access to marketing, activation, and hospitality opportunities.

DraftKings will also have access to official WNBA data feeds and will receive increased media exposure across the WNBA’s digital and linear media platforms.

Lisa Leslie, Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer and DraftKings talent ambassador, said: “Having worked alongside both DraftKings and the WNBA, I am thrilled to see these innovative brands come together and further enhance excitement and visibility around women’s sports.

"The WNBA is rapidly expanding its reach and DraftKings has an unmatched ability to further generate additional fan engagement. I am looking forward to seeing DraftKings elevate the WNBA’s fan experience in the midst of this record-breaking season.”

DraftKings North America President Matt Kalish

DraftKings North America President Matt Kalish added: “The WNBA has seen tremendous growth, which continues to be a bright spot in the sports world. We are proud to support the league in its efforts to continue expanding the game.

"It is a priority for us to deliver the most engaging WNBA content to DraftKings’ platforms and through our collaboration with the WNBA this season, we will be able to enhance the experience for millions of our customers and WNBA fans.”

DraftKings becomes WNBA’s latest official sports betting partner. The franchise also has FanDuel as its partner. DraftKings has been the co-official sportsbook of the NBA since 2021, while FanDuel became an official WNBA sportsbook partner as part of an extension of the DFS deal it signed with the league in 2022.

The deals come amid the league's continued momentum, as the brand is projected to receive around $2.2 billion over 11 years through a new media rights deal with Disney, NBC, and Amazon, beginning after the 2025 season. 

The WNBA said in June that the first month of the current season was the "highest-attended opening month in 26 years and its most-watched first month ever." Half of all games in May were sellouts, a 156% increase from the prior year. As of the end of May, WNBA games were averaging 1.32 million viewers, nearly tripling last season’s average.

“What’s happening now in women’s basketball is confirmation of what we’ve always known: the demand is there, and women’s sports is a valuable investment,” said Chief Growth Officer Colie Edison at that time. That also extends to betting, as various leading sportsbooks have reported in recent months that WNBA wagering has reached unprecedented levels.