Coinbase Global, Inc. (Coinbase) and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) today announced a multiyear partnership that makes Coinbase the exclusive cryptocurrency platform partner of the league.  The global partnership is the first in the cryptocurrency category for the WNBA.

As part of the partnership, Coinbase will become the presenting partner of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup in-season competition that will take place during the 2022 season.  Launched during the 2021 season, the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup provides an innovative blueprint for an in-season competition that showcases conference rivalries, drives opportunities for broader fan engagement, creates additional interest around the league’s regular season games, convenes around equity and equality themes in WNBA markets, and provides the players with an opportunity to earn significant cash compensation.

The inaugural WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Championship Game was played in August 2021 at Footprint Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. and was the culmination of the in-season competition that designated a portion of regular-season games in the first half of the season – 10 per team, 60 in total– as Commissioner’s Cup play.  The Seattle Storm, led by the game’s MVP Breanna Stewart, defeated the Connecticut Sun, 79-57 to claim the first Commissioner’s Cup where a half million-dollar prize pool was paid out.

This first-of-its-kind partnership will consist of unique content, innovations, activations and experiences from Coinbase to educate WNBA fans on the increasing advancements happening across the cryptoeconomy.  Coinbase will also have a brand presence during nationally televised games starting with the 2022 WNBA season, which will tip off in May 2022.

“The freedom to participate and benefit from the things you believe in is at the heart of Coinbase’s mission.  Nobody believes more than NBA and WNBA fans.  We’re proud to become the Leagues’ official cryptocurrency partner,” said Kate Rouch, Chief Marketing Officer of Coinbase.  “As part of the partnership, we will create interactive experiences to engage with the NBA and WNBA’s incredible community and athletes around the world.”
“Our partnership with Coinbase is representative of the WNBA’s emphasis on innovation as we continue to find opportunities to meet our fans where they are,” said Phil Cook, WNBA Chief Marketing Officer.  “As we build off the success of the WNBA’s first 25 seasons, innovating alongside Coinbase will help us explore the future of fan engagement.”

Coinbase and the NBA also announced a comprehensive, multiyear partnership making Coinbase the official cryptocurrency platform of the NBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and USA Basketball.  The global partnership is the first in the cryptocurrency platform category for each organization.

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About Coinbase
Coinbase is building the cryptoeconomy – a more fair, accessible, efficient, and transparent financial system enabled by crypto. Coinbase started in 2012 with the radical idea that anyone, anywhere, should be able to easily and securely send and receive Bitcoin. Today, Coinbase offers a trusted and easy-to-use platform for accessing the broader cryptoeconomy.

About the WNBA

Having just completed its 25^th season in 2021, the WNBA is a bold, progressive basketball league that stands for the power of women.  Featuring 12 teams, the W is a unique sports property that combines competition and entertainment with a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and social responsibility.  Through its world-class athletes, the in-game fan experience, TV and digital broadcasts, digital and social content and community outreach programs, the league celebrates and elevates the game of basketball and the culture around it.

In 2020, the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) signed a groundbreaking eight-year CBA that charts a new course for women’s basketball—and women’s sports overall—with a focus on increased player compensation, improvements to the player experience, expanded career development opportunities, and resources specifically tailored to the female professional athlete. Key elements of the agreement are supported through the league’s new platform, WNBA Changemakers, with AT&T, the WNBA’s Marquee Partner and inaugural Changemaker, as well as fellow inaugural Changemakers Deloitte and Nike, and the recent addition of Google. During the 2020 season, the WNBA and WNBPA launched the WNBA Justice Movement forming the Social Justice Council with the mission of being a driving force of necessary change and continuing conversations about race and voting rights, among other important societal issues.

For more information, visit WNBA.com.