{"id":13055,"date":"2024-05-22T11:06:51","date_gmt":"2024-05-22T18:06:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tegnacorpstage.wpengine.com\/advertise\/?p=13055"},"modified":"2024-05-30T11:14:48","modified_gmt":"2024-05-30T18:14:48","slug":"a-slam-dunk-guide-to-wnba-advertising","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tegna.com\/advertise\/wnba-advertising","title":{"rendered":"A Slam Dunk Guide to WNBA Advertising"},"content":{"rendered":"

Women\u2019s sports are experiencing a meteoric rise, and 2024 is a year of many firsts. This presents unprecedented opportunities for <\/span>sports advertising<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

For the first time in history, more viewers tuned into the women\u2019s NCAA championship game than the men\u2019s. There will be an equal number of female and male athletes at the Paris Olympics, and the inaugural season of the Professional Women\u2019s Hockey League (PWHL) in Canada surpassed all attendance and viewing expectations. On top of that, <\/span>Deloitte<\/span><\/a> forecasts that in 2024, for the first time, women’s elite sports will generate a revenue that surpasses $1 billion \u2014 a 300% increase on the industry’s evaluation in 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n

As WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert <\/span>tells The Athletic<\/span><\/a>, \u201cWe are witnessing a transformational moment in sports that we may not experience for generations.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Since its inaugural season in 1996, the WNBA has created a platform for the game\u2019s new superstars. If the recent success is any indication, the League is entering a new, fearless era as audiences and interest grow. This makes now the opportune time for brands to consider adding women\u2019s sports and WNBA advertising to their marketing lineup.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5 Reasons It\u2019s Beneficial to Advertise With The WNBA<\/b><\/h2>\n

Alignment with WNBA teams and their stars is a strategy that, according to SponsorUnited, has worked for several brands, including Starry, Breeze Airways, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Coinbase. Not only have these brands been able to connect to a growing, diverse, and engaged audience, but they\u2019ve also enhanced brand image by positioning themselves as leaders in social responsibility to gain a competitive edge in the marketplace and ultimately increase sales and revenue.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. WNBA Has a Growing Reach<\/b><\/h3>\n

The numbers are hitting full-court press. The 2024 draft reached more than 2.4 million viewers (up +307% from the year prior<\/a>), and new broadcast deals are in place that will help increase viewership over the 36 million total unique viewers<\/a> in 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n

In May 2024, TEGNA and the Indiana Fever announced<\/a> that 11 additional markets will join WTHR, TEGNA’s Indianapolis NBC affiliate, creating an unprecedented 12-market footprint airing 17 Indiana Fever games for free over the air this year.<\/p>\n

With this expanded footprint, 4.6 million homes can watch #1 overall draft pick Caitlin Clark, 2023 #1 overall pick and WNBA Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston, and the exciting Fever roster as they make a push to return to the playoffs.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Make the Most of the Halo Effect to Align With WNBA Stars<\/b><\/h3>\n

WNBA superstars like Clark, Boston, Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, and veteran Diana Taurasi have influence and power that reaches beyond the basketball courts. Aligning your brand with these stars can help create a \u201c<\/span>halo effect<\/span><\/a>,” transferring the stars\u2019 positive traits to the brand.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Create a Positive Brand Image & Strengthen Brand Loyalty<\/b><\/h3>\n

Supporting the WNBA and women\u2019s sports can enhance a brand’s image by demonstrating its commitment to social responsibility, gender equality, and empowerment. <\/span>Nielsen\u2019s Fan Insights<\/span><\/a> found:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n