Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) have announced an exciting new partnership, establishing PlayStation® as the official console and marketing partner of the WNBA. This multi-year agreement aims to showcase the talent and stories of women athletes, while further expanding the presence of women’s sports in the gaming industry.
Andrea Perez, Senior Vice President of Brand, Product and Services Marketing at Sony Interactive Entertainment, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “At PlayStation, we believe ‘play has no limits,’ and few cultural spaces have better defined that spirit than women’s sports and especially the WNBA.” Perez also emphasized their commitment to investing in the next generation of women athletes and exploring innovative ways to elevate and share their stories.
As part of the collaboration, PlayStation will explore various marketing opportunities with the WNBA, with the first major event being the AT&T WNBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas on July 15. Additional details about the partnership will be unveiled in the lead-up to the All-Star Game, exciting fans and players alike.
PlayStation has also expanded its support for rising WNBA stars through its PlayStation Playmakers program. Arike Ogunbowale, NaLyssa Smith, and Zia Cooke have joined the program, which features a diverse community of athletes, creators, actors, artists, gamers, and entertainers working collaboratively with PlayStation to provide fans with exclusive access and behind-the-scenes content. This initiative highlights the intersection of gaming and basketball and celebrates the passion for gaming shared by many WNBA fans.
The Chief Marketing Officer of the WNBA, Phil Cook, expressed excitement about the partnership, acknowledging the significant overlap between WNBA fans and passionate gamers. Cook stated, “Many WNBA fans are passionate gamers, and we look forward to PlayStation establishing a new level for our tech-savvy fans to experience our game.”
This collaboration builds on PlayStation’s previous announcement as the official partner of UEFA Women’s Football and reinforces SIE’s ongoing commitment to promoting women’s sports and shining a spotlight on the next generation of talented athletes.
Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is a global leader in interactive and digital entertainment. The PlayStation brand, established in 1994 with the launch of the original PlayStation in Japan, has consistently delivered innovation to the market. SIE’s product and service lineup includes PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®VR, PlayStation™Store, PlayStation®Plus, PlayStation™Now, and acclaimed software titles from PlayStation Studios.
The WNBA, now entering its 27th season, stands as a progressive and bold basketball league that champions the power of women. With its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social responsibility, the WNBA combines competition and entertainment to celebrate and elevate the game of basketball and the culture surrounding it. Through its world-class athletes, engaging fan experience, digital and social content, and community outreach programs, the league continues to drive positive change within women’s basketball and women’s sports as a whole. The groundbreaking eight-year Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed in 2020 between the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) is a testament to their dedication to elevating the player experience and providing increased resources and opportunities for female professional athletes. The league’s partnership platform, WNBA Changemakers, includes key supporters such as AT&T, Deloitte, NIKE, Inc., Google, U.S. Bank, and CarMax, working together to further the league’s mission.
The collaboration between Sony Interactive Entertainment and the WNBA signifies a significant step forward in showcasing the talent and accomplishments of women athletes, as well as merging the worlds of gaming and professional basketball. Fans eagerly await the upcoming All-Star Game and the new and immersive experiences that PlayStation will bring to the WN
