Las Vegas Aces’ $100,000 Sponsorship Under WNBA Investigation

The WNBA is currently investigating a unique $100,000 sponsorship offered by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to each player of the Las Vegas Aces for the current and upcoming seasons. The league confirmed the investigation, highlighting possible concerns regarding the deal’s compliance with WNBA regulations.

The sponsorship, orchestrated by Steve Hill, the president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, was presented to the Aces players individually. Hill’s offer of the significant bonus payment sparked excitement among the team members, with cheers and applause echoing in the Aces’ locker room.

According to reports, the sponsorship deal resembles name, image, and likeness arrangements common in college sports. The league is now scrutinizing the deal, assessing its impact on team fairness and compliance with salary cap regulations.

The Aces, a dominating force in the WNBA, have seen immense success in recent seasons, clinching back-to-back championships. The team’s popularity has soared, evident from their sold-out home games and the shifting of venues to accommodate the massive demand fuelled by star players like A'ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray.

Notably, the WNBA had prior issues with the Aces, as Coach Becky Hammon was suspended and the team penalized following violations regarding player benefits and workplace policies. The current investigation adds another layer to the Aces’ ongoing saga with the league.