The WNBA has enlisted DraftKings as its second official sports betting partner. With FanDuel already on board, the league now boasts the two biggest players in the U.S. market. DraftKings will be an official sports betting and daily fantasy sports partner for the WNBA, aligning it with the NBA’s sportsbook giants.
“The WNBA has seen tremendous growth, which continues to be a bright spot in the sports world,” DraftKings president Matt Kalish said. “We are proud to support the league in its efforts to continue expanding the game.”
The deal grants DraftKings rights to league and team intellectual property, marketing opportunities, and access to official WNBA data feeds. Additionally, the sportsbook will enjoy increased media exposure across digital and linear platforms.
Meanwhile, FanDuel has been an official WNBA sportsbook partner since 2022, extending its existing DFS agreement. DraftKings has been the co-official sportsbook of the NBA since 2021.
WNBA Having a Record-Setting Season on and off the Court
In May, the WNBA achieved its highest attendance for an opening month in 26 years. The league’s start of the season was also the most-watched across all television networks.
The WNBA’s exciting new rookie class includes standout players like Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever) and Angel Reese (Chicago Sky). During a clash between Clark and A’ja Wilson of the defending champion Las Vegas Aces on July 2, a crowd of more than 20,000 fans filled T-Mobile Arena, marking the highest regular season single-game attendance since 1999.
DraftKings’ latest deal follows its partnership with FanDuel and an impressive 11-year, $2 billion TV agreement spanning ESPN, NBC, and Amazon. This new deal is approximately four times larger than the WNBA’s expiring TV contract, which currently stands at around $50 million annually.
Clark Fueling WNBA Resurgence
Clark isn’t just a court sensation; she’s also a betting force to be reckoned with! As the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft, She has been lighting up the scoreboard for the Indiana Fever. But her impact extends beyond the hardwood—she’s helping basketball become the second most popular sport to bet on in the Hoosier State.
In 2024, a whopping $1.11 billion has been staked on basketball in Indiana alone. Clark’s influence has also helped operator winnings skyrocket by nearly 57%, and the betting handle surged to more than $298 million. Indiana became the eighth state to surpass $17 billion in all-time handle, with the amount of money bet in the state up almost 20%.
Clark’s impact is felt across the betting landscape. Despite odds fluctuations (from -3,000 to -1,050), she remains the favorite for the Rookie of the Year title, even in her rollercoaster rookie season.
WNBA TV Ratings Also Up
WNBA television ratings have continued to climb thanks to the debuts of Clark and Reese. However, the league’s viewership appeal extends beyond its new stars. Notably, a Phoenix Mercury-Connecticut Sun game averaged more than one million viewers.
In total, the WNBA has seen 15 games draw at least one million viewers this season, already tying the record for any season, according to Sports Media Watch. But among the top 10 highest-rated games, 13 out of those 15 have featured the Indiana Fever and Clark. Interestingly, the two highest-rated games of the season were both Sky-Fever matchups.
And all this happened in only the first half of the WNBA season. Now, with DraftKings joining FanDuel as an official betting partner with the league, expect the interest to go even higher with more betting options available.
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