The WNBA and FanDuel have partnered up on a multi-year deal which completely adds a whole new element to how fans can enjoy the WNBA.
In 2017, FanDuel and the WNBA had over 2.2 million entries in WNBA contests. So far this year, numbers are only continuing to grow early on in the season. If you’re like me, and don’t fully understand how it works or what I’m talking about, I understand. Let me explain.
It’s a WNBA fantasy league. You can choose your roster of seven, you have a salary cap you must strategically stay within the limits of and you get to pick some of your favorite WNBA players to rep your team. Take that team and enter single game contests as well as more traditional fantasy contests extending over several games or a season. You can spend as little or as much as you want depending on each contest.
Combine the fun of it with the knowledge our fans have, there is a real opportunity to engage a lot of people.
Tamika Catchings, the spokeswoman of the partnership, explained it to me even further.
I'm playing new daily fantasy leagues at https://t.co/AluQErIOKE – come and join me!
https://t.co/snptWXRaWY
#WatchMeWork #TamikaonFanDuel #Ad— Tamika Catchings (@Catchin24) June 22, 2018
“Now, what it really does is open the door more for our fans to get engaged and put together their team. We have never had an opportunity to go and pick your team, it’s all about fantasy,” Catchings told me. "WNBA fans know our players the best, how cool would it be to allow them to have an opportunity to go and to win?"
Her argument stands true. We know the game, we’ve followed it for years and now with this platform, we have an opportunity to participate and engage on a fantasy level that has never really happened before. And if you’re like me, it’s honestly not something we are used to.
“I think it will be something that people will look forward to. It will continue to grow the game,” said Catchings. "I think it will help elevate the league overall and continue to get more fans into the game.”
The WNBA and FanDuel partnership also includes a right for FanDuel to stream selected future games, and WNBA highlights will be included throughout the entire FanDuel platform. According to the release, by the 2019 WNBA season, FanDuel users will be able to pick, follow, and watch their WNBA fantasy teams, all in one integrated experience via the FanDuel app or website.
I dove into myself, someone with zero experience on a fantasy level, and it was a lot of fun and included plenty of strategy for me to create my team. Catchings is currently holding a FanDuel competition extending over multiple games of the season.
Sign up on her challenge or others and start having some fun right here: fanduel.com/Tamika
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NEXT: The Evolution of the WNBA Jersey
