
The WNBA, or Women's National Basketball Association, is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. It is the female counterpart to the NBA and began its first season in 1997. The league has been gaining popularity since 2021, and many companies have signed on as official partners for the 2024 season. While the WNBA is not publicly traded, there are several ways to invest indirectly in the league, such as buying shares in companies with sponsorship deals or companies that own or are affiliated with team owners.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is the WNBA publicly traded? | No, but it has partnerships with publicly traded companies. |
| How to invest in the WNBA | Buy shares of publicly traded companies that are official partners of the league. |
| Examples of publicly traded companies that have partnerships with the WNBA | Carmax, UWM |
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What You'll Learn
- The WNBA is not publicly traded, but companies with WNBA partnerships are
- These include companies in sporting goods and unexpected industries
- The WNBA is the only women's league with full backing from the NBA
- The league has seen a surge in popularity, with companies buying shares
- You can invest indirectly in the WNBA by buying shares in affiliated companies

The WNBA is not publicly traded, but companies with WNBA partnerships are
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. It is not possible to buy stock directly in the WNBA. However, companies with WNBA partnerships are publicly traded, and you can buy shares in these companies.
Many companies have signed on as "official partners" of the WNBA for the 2024 season. These companies come from industries you would expect to sponsor a professional sports league, such as sporting goods stores, as well as from unexpected industries. Many of these sponsors are privately held, but quite a few are publicly traded.
For example, Carmax launched an ad campaign featuring past and present WNBA stars. With the jump in popularity of the WNBA, Carmax may benefit from increased brand awareness from this sponsorship deal. Carmax trades for around $73.33 per share today. UWM, a mortgage lender, also has a WNBA partnership through its CEO Mat Ishbia's ownership of the Phoenix Mercury WNBA team.
In addition to buying shares in companies with sponsorship deals with the WNBA, there are other ways to indirectly invest in the league. You can buy shares of media companies that enable viewers to watch the games or companies that own or are affiliated with the owners of WNBA teams. For instance, the Miami Heat is owned by Mickey Arison, chairman of Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise ship operator.
While the WNBA as a league is not publicly traded, there are opportunities for those interested in investing in companies with connections to the league and its teams.
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These include companies in sporting goods and unexpected industries
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. It is not possible to buy stock directly in the WNBA, just like the NBA and the NFL. However, there are other ways to invest indirectly in the league and its teams.
One way to invest in the WNBA is to buy shares of publicly traded companies that have partnerships or sponsorship deals with the league or its teams. These companies can range from sporting goods stores to those in unexpected industries. For example, Carmax launched an ad campaign featuring WNBA stars, leveraging its sponsorship deal with the league. Another example is UWM, which has a WNBA partnership and also owns the Phoenix Mercury WNBA team.
You can also invest in media companies that enable viewers to watch the games. Additionally, you can buy shares in companies that are affiliated with the owners of WNBA teams. For instance, the Miami Heat team in the NBA, which owns the Phoenix Mercury WNBA team, is owned by Mickey Arison, chairman of Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise ship operator.
Another way to support and invest in the WNBA is through purchasing monetized products like tickets, concessions, and merchandise. This can extend to buying products from companies that support and work with female athletes, such as Nike and Lulu.
Finally, for those who are not looking for monetary investments, there are other ways to "invest" in the WNBA and women's sports more broadly. This includes buying apparel, attending games, reposting on social media, and participating in policy and political conversations centred around women and girls in sports.
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The WNBA is the only women's league with full backing from the NBA
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) is a professional basketball league in the United States. It was founded on April 24, 1996, as the women's counterpart to the National Basketball Association (NBA). The WNBA is the only women's league to receive full backing from the NBA.
The WNBA is the main North American league and is considered the most significant professional basketball league worldwide in terms of popularity, salaries, talent, and level of competition. The league has been steadily gaining popularity since 2021, with an unexpected surge in popularity in 2024, drawing new fans to the sport. This has been beneficial for companies that have entered into partnerships with the WNBA, many of which are publicly traded.
The structure of the WNBA as a league does not allow for direct investment or ownership by the public. However, there are indirect ways to invest in the league and support women's sports. One way is to buy shares in publicly traded companies that have sponsorship or other deals with the WNBA or its teams. For example, Carmax launched an ad campaign featuring WNBA stars, and companies like Nike and Lulu are also worth considering. Additionally, you can buy shares in media companies that enable viewers to watch the games or companies that own or are affiliated with the owners of WNBA teams.
Another way to support the league is to buy monetized WNBA products, tickets, concessions, and merchandise. You can also participate in policy and political conversations centered around women and girls, advocating for adequate lighting in parking facilities, public funding for women's sports, and other relevant issues.
While it is not possible to buy stock directly in the NBA or the WNBA, there are still opportunities for those interested in investing in women's sports and supporting the growth of the WNBA.
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The league has seen a surge in popularity, with companies buying shares
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) has witnessed a surge in popularity, with companies investing in partnerships and sponsorships. While individuals cannot directly buy shares or stocks in the WNBA, companies are investing in the league in other ways. For example, Carmax launched an ad campaign featuring WNBA stars, aiming to capitalize on the league's popularity and boost its brand awareness.
Additionally, companies are buying shares in affiliated ways. Mat Ishbia, CEO of UWM, has a partnership with the WNBA and owns the Phoenix Mercury WNBA team. This strategy mirrors that of Dan Gilbert, who owns the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA team and a majority stake in Rocket Companies. Gilbert successfully created market synergies between his holdings, which Ishbia could replicate.
The WNBA is also attracting sponsors from unexpected industries, and many of these companies are publicly traded. For instance, Nike and Lulu are companies supporting and working with female athletes, providing investment opportunities for those passionate about women's sports.
While direct investment in the WNBA or its teams is not possible, individuals can invest indirectly. Similar to the NBA, individuals can buy shares in publicly traded companies with sponsorship or other deals with the WNBA. They can also invest in media companies that broadcast the games or companies affiliated with the owners of WNBA teams.
The league's popularity is also driving interest in women's sports more broadly. The USL Super League, for instance, will be open to fan ownership, and the Oakland Soul/Roots organization has already sold shares to fans. This trend demonstrates a growing appetite for investment in women's sports, and the WNBA's increasing popularity is contributing to this momentum.
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You can invest indirectly in the WNBA by buying shares in affiliated companies
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. The league has been gaining popularity since 2021, and many companies have entered into partnerships with the WNBA. While you cannot buy stock directly in the WNBA, there are several ways to invest indirectly in the league and women's basketball more broadly.
Firstly, you can buy shares in publicly traded companies that have sponsorship or other deals with the WNBA. For example, Carmax launched an ad campaign featuring past and present WNBA stars, and the company may benefit from increased brand awareness as a result of its sponsorship deal. You can also invest in companies that are affiliated with the ownership of WNBA teams. For instance, the Phoenix Mercury WNBA team is owned by the same individual who owns the Phoenix Suns NBA team. Therefore, by investing in companies with holdings in both leagues, you can indirectly support the WNBA.
Another way to invest indirectly in the WNBA is to buy shares in media companies that enable viewers to watch the games. The WNBA has television deals with major networks, so investing in these companies can support the league. Additionally, you can consider investing in companies that are otherwise affiliated with the WNBA, such as apparel and merchandise companies. For example, Nike and Lulu are companies that support and work with female athletes.
Finally, for those interested in broader investment in women's sports, the USL Super League will be open to fan ownership. This provides an opportunity to directly invest in women's sports by purchasing shares of clubs. While the WNBA does not currently offer this option, there are still numerous ways to support and invest in the league and its players indirectly.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you cannot buy stock directly in the WNBA. However, you can buy shares of publicly traded companies that have sponsorship or other deals with the WNBA.
Some companies with sponsorship deals with the WNBA include Carmax, Nike, and Lululemon.
You can buy shares of media companies that enable viewers to watch the games or companies that own or are affiliated with the owners of WNBA teams.











































