US telecommunications company Verizon has entered into a partnership with the Women’s National Basketball Association.
Verizon has been named the league’s marquee partner, with the WNBA confirming in a statement the company would become its “most prominent marketing partner”. The length of the deal was not disclosed.
Verizon’s branding will appear on the jerseys of 10 of the 12 WNBA teams – the Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Dallas Wings, Indiana Fever, Los Angeles Sparks, Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury, Seattle Storm and Washington Mystics – while the company will be granted extensive courtside advertising exposure and promotion during television coverage of games. In addition, the ‘WNBA Top 20 Moments presented by Verizon’ digital programme will be launched. The programme will look back at some of the standout moments from the league’s history.
Verizon will also become the presenting partner of the WNBA Tip-Off season-opening event, as well as the league’s playoffs and finals. It has also been named a partner of the WNBA Draft and the annual Inspiring Women Luncheon event, which recognises great achievement by women within basketball.
Various other marketing campaigns will be organised to promote the 2016 WNBA season – the 20th since the league’s inception – which begins on May 14.