Aces, BetMGM Sportsbook Team Up: What This Means for the WNBA
In a city known for its spectacle, the Las Vegas Aces announced a landmark partnership with BetMGM Sportsbook against the backdrop of the iconic Bellagio fountains. The dramatic unveiling featured representatives from the Aces, MGM Resorts, and a local charity, all signaling the start of a three-year sponsorship by placing their hands on a symbolic red button that unleashed a cascade of water soaring into the Las Vegas sky.
The collaboration between the WNBA team and BetMGM is part of a broader trend, as the league embraces partnerships with sports-betting companies. While this marks the Aces' first significant venture into this arena, the WNBA has already established connections with other major sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel, and several teams, including the Indiana Fever and Phoenix Mercury, have initiated similar deals.
A seasoned presence in women's basketball, Hall of Fame broadcaster Debbie Antonelli, remarked on the significance of this development, emphasizing the potential to tap into a primarily male demographic aged 18 to 36—consumers who have traditionally engaged more with sports betting. "This is long overdue," Antonelli noted. "Attention on our game, in any form, is positive."
The transformation in attitudes towards sports betting evolved dramatically following a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, which enabled states to legalize the activity. Women's sports, the WNBA in particular, are enthusiastically aligning with this changing landscape. Molly Wurdack-Folt, BetMGM's team and league partnerships director, pointed out that the WNBA is leading this evolution, with BetMGM witnessing a 130% increase in bets on its games last year alone.
While betting remains male-dominated, an increasing number of women are entering the arena. This shift is part of why BetMGM and other sportsbooks are increasing their presence, offering expanded betting options and futures odds on tournaments like the WNBA Commissioner's Cup.
The WNBA's rise in popularity, fueled in part by stars like Caitlin Clark, has brought dazzling attention to the league, translating into higher TV ratings, attendance, and betting activity. Antonelli describes this phenomenon as "Clarkanomics," highlighting the broader narrative that the game's quality has always been stellar, and now the spotlight is finally where it belongs.
The partnership announcement was particularly poignant for MGM. The company, which relocated the then-San Antonio Stars and rebranded them as the Aces back in 2017, has recently reunited with the team under this significant agreement. Aces President Nikki Fargas expressed the symbolic importance of the deal: "It gives us a different level of credibility. As trendsetters, we're pushing to make this league the best it can be, showcasing the world's premier talent."
In the fast-paced evolution of sports and entertainment, this partnership stands as a bold step forward, promising to propel the WNBA further into the spotlight.
