The WNBA’s Chicago Sky announced a multi-year partnership with bet365 sportsbook Wednesday, making them the fifth WNBA team with a sports betting partner.
The agreement will unlock a variety of marketing opportunities for bet365, which is one of 10 online sportsbooks that are operational in Illinois.
Key Takeaways
- bet365 had previous partnerships with NBA, MLB, and NHL teams.
- The sportsbook will gain promotional access on the court, inside the Sky’s arena, online, and during broadcasts.
- The U.K. sportsbook recently committed to putting more effort into growing its American audience.
The Angel Reese-led Sky are bet365’s first professional team partners in a league other than the NBA, MLB, or NHL.
Only five teams in the 13-team WNBA previously had sports betting partners. That list included the Phoenix Mercury (Bally Bet), Washington Mystics (Caesars), New York Liberty (FanDuel), Connecticut Sun (FanDuel), and Las Vegas Aces (BetMGM).
The deal will see the bet365 logo emblazoned on the pad underneath both baskets, behind the north-end basket, on various in-arena boards, and on social media content. It will also gain visibility on live broadcasts and promotional marketing products.
“Our partnership with the Chicago Sky has us floating on cloud nine and is the perfect opportunity for our expansion into the WNBA,” a bet365 spokesperson said. “We can’t wait to share our Never Ordinary betting experience with Sky fans.”
The Sky also noted that the partnership brings them into the legal sports betting mix, one of the fastest-growing trends in American entertainment.
“The Chicago Sky are thrilled to partner with bet365 to align with a growing sports trend that brings new visibility to the WNBA and the Chicago Sky,” said Sky vice president of corporate partnerships Alex Teodosi. “We look forward to bringing great new sports betting opportunities to Sky fans, while always encouraging responsible betting and positivity towards our players.”
Focusing on expansion
U.K.-headquartered bet365 is legal in 13 states. It built an American headquarters in Denver, Colorado in September as part of its focus to grow its North American reach.
As part of that commitment, the sportsbook joined the Sports Betting Alliance (SBA), a coalition of top sportsbooks that advocated for legal and regulated sports betting. Other members include BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics.
“Becoming members of the Sports Betting Alliance is an exciting move for us and a step forward for our presence in the United States,” bet365 spokesperson Trip Stoddard said after the sportsbook became the group’s first new member since 2021. “We look forward to working alongside our fellow SBA members to stamp out illegal and unregulated betting and bring regulated sports betting to all 50 states.”
bet365 also put itself on track to launch in Missouri when the market goes live later this year thanks to its partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Angel Reese leads the Sky
The Sky have not had the start to the 2025 season they’d hoped for. They’re only 3-8 through their first 11 games, putting them 11th in the league-wide standings.
On a more positive note, the headline-dominant Reese posted her first career triple-double against the Connecticut Sun last Sunday. She finished the game with 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists. She had another strong game on Tuesday going for 17 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in a loss to the Washington Mystics.
The Sky will be back in action on Saturday against the Phoenix Mercury.
