THE WOMEN’S

BRITISH BASKETBALL LEAGUE

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
13/05/2019 08:41
THE WOMEN’S BRITISH
BASKETBALL LEAGUE
THE TOP WOMEN’S BASKETBALL LEAGUE IN
GREAT BRITAIN
• Founded in 2014

• Consists of teams from England, Scotland & Wales

• Championship run with regular season games from

September to May, in comfortable indoor arenas

3 MAJOR FINALS PLAYED IN STUNNING ARENAS:

WBBL CUP FINAL: Arena Birmingham, Birmingham

WBBL TROPHY FINAL: Emirates Arena, Glasgow
WBBL PLAY-OFF FINAL: THE O2, London
The WBBL aspires to recognized as a top level European women’s league, with a wide range of commercial
and media partners, providing high quality and entertaining basketball, and producing Great Britain players
capable of competing at European and Olympic level. The league also aims to make a difference to the lives of
all young people in their communities and to provide a world class environment for female athletes, as well as
raising the profile of basketball and its players in the UK.

Our Vision includes the creation of an environment in which we can inspire young girls and empower them to
become professional athletes and role models.!

WHY SUPPORT THE WBBL

MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO PEOPLES LIVES
Support a sport in which players become role
models to young people
Communicate the idea of a healthy lifestyle, high
standards of discipline and self-fulfilment.
GET ACCESS TO PARTICULAR COMMUNITIES
As Basketball attracts a higher number of BME
participants and millennials compared to other
sports, sponsorship offers you unique access to
parts of the market that you would otherwise
find difficult to access.

UTILIZE OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Be part of the Women’s British Basketball League
with it’s extensive outreach to local communities
and schools across the nation.
BE SEEN AS A BRAND WITH PURPOSE
Grasp the opportunity for more meaningful
campaigns around gender balance, diversity and
equality, which women’s basketball signifies.

GENERATE POWERFUL MESSAGES

Capture the most passionate moments in the
highest skilled league in the UK to generate
powerful messages for your brand.
WHY PARTNER WITH THE SPORT
OF BASKETBELL
UNIQUE DEMOGRAPHICS COMPARED TO OTHER SPORTS

POPULAR AMONG THE BLACK AND MINORITY
ETHNIC POPULATION (BME).
In the Active People Survey (APS6), 42% of basketball
participants over 16 years old playing once a week were
BME. In the very latest APS7 the basketball BME% has
increased to 52%.​
STRONG AFFINITY WITH GEN Y AND Z
DEMOGRAPHICS
80% of the people who are regularly participating in
Basketball are aged 16-34 years, which is an opportunity
for brands to reach millennials, a demographic that is
typically known as hard to reach.

BME% IN DIFFERENT SPORTS PARTICIPANTS AGE% IN DIFFERENT SPORTS

42% Basketball
Basketball Football Netball Hockey Athletics Swimming
29% Cricket 16-24 62% 39% 56% 53% 56% 17%

19% Badminton 16-34 80% 67% 71% 69% 71% 38%

35+ 20% 33% 29% 31% 29% 62%
6% Cycling
0% Rugby Union/ League, Hockey, Canoing, Equestrian
(Data Source: Sport England)

BASKETBALL IS A GLOBALLY RECOGNIZED SPORT AND RISING IN THE UK

BASKETBALL IN THE UK

“Pound for pound, perhaps no sport does more

social good in Britain today” than basketball.
BASKETBALL ON THE WAY UP AS THE
(Tim Wigmore, inews.co.uk, February 21, 2018)
FOURTH MOST POPULAR TEAM SPORT

Over 1.2 million people play basketball regularly

in England with 901,600 children under the age BASKETBALL
of 16 playing on a weekly basis* 174,500
Basketball is the third most played team sport,
more popular than most traditional sports* TENNIS
131,300
It is the second most poplar team sport among
14-16 years old* CRICKET
Basketball is an Olympic Sport. The GB Women’s 110,900
National team has secured their place in the
Olympic qualification tournament for Tokyo GOLF
2020. 64,600
(*Data Source: Sport England)
INVEST IN WOMEN’S SPORT
With women representing ​ 70-80% of the THE PERCEPTION OF WOMEN’S SPORTS HAS BEEN
consumer market , through a combination of their buying CHANGING
46% of people across eight markets regard women’s sport
power and influence, there is huge untapped potential in the
as competitive, while 35% say it is skilled and 32% view it as
female audiences of women’s sport. being of high quality.
(Data Source: PwC’s Sports Survey 2019)
Women’s sports are seen as more progressive, less money
driven, more family-orientated and cleaner than men’s sports.
Women also see women’s sport as a lot more inspiring than
WOMEN’S SPORT SPONSORSHIP GROWTH
men do.
Recognize the value of investment in women’s sport. Other (Data source: Nielsen Sports Women’s Sports research 2018)
big brands already have signed long term partnerships
and data shows the increase in women’s sport sponsorship
in the past 4 years.

Increase in annual number of women’s

37% sport sponsorship deals announced
between 2013 and 2017

49% Increase in average monetary size of

deal between 2013 and 2017

Of women’s sport sponsorship, the number of deals

completed by clubs, federations, and teams has increased

2013 7%
2017 19%
SENTIMENTS SURROUNDING WOMEN’S SPORT
Source: Nielsen Sports Sponsorglobe

BENEFITS OF INVESTING IN WOMEN’S SPORT SKILLED

Women’s sports/athletes 35%
HIGH QUALITY
Women’s sports/athletes 32%
COMPETITIVE
Women’s sports/athletes 46%
Men’s sports/athletes 40% Men’s sports/athletes 42% Men’s sports/athletes 63%

• The change in women’s sports is an exciting trend

in the sports industry - Don’t miss out
Investing in the women’s game is not about a short THE BIG DIFFERENCE IN FAVOR OF WOMEN’S SPORT
• return on investment - Keep an eye on the return
that can be made on the game’s social footprint.
Sponsorship in women’s sport is more than pure INSPIRING PROGRESSIVE MONEY-DRIVEN
• brand awareness, its real engagement Women’s sports/athletes 36% Women’s sports/athletes 32% Women’s sports/athletes 7%
Men’s sports/athletes 26% Men’s sports/athletes 17% Men’s sports/athletes 39%
Be seen as a brand with purpose by supporting
women and the issues of equality, gender balance
• and diversity
Create more meaningful campaigns with women’s FAMILY-ORIENTATED CLEAN
Women’s sports/athletes 25% Women’s sports/athletes 26%
sports, which have an impact on corporate Men’s sports/athletes 13% Men’s sports/athletes 8%
• performance and employee engagement

Source: Nielsen Sports Women’s Sports research 2018

 WBBL CLUBS AT GLANCE
CALEDONIA PRIDE Pleasance Sports Complex & Gym, University of Edinburgh
• The first ever female pro – franchise in Scotland and number one women’s club in Scotland
• Runs the Edinburgh University Senior Women’s National League Team
• Actively involved in encouraging numerous local clubs

CARDIFF MET ARCHERS Archers Arena, Cardiff Metropolitan University

• Runs 24 different age group teams from Under 8’s upwards and works with local primary schools
• Aims to provide opportunities for not only playing but also in areas such as officiating, media, marketing and administration
• Number one basketball club in Wales

DURHAM PALATINATE Sports & Wellbeing Facility, Durham University

• Experience with delivering a community programme to over 4000 young people each year
• Programme is being refocussed to have a greater female focus and is aimed to develop the next generation of players
• Aim to be to the top academic and basketball programme in the country both retaining and attracting top talent

ESSEX REBELS Essex Arena, University of Essexw

• Offer a dual-career pathway matching education and basketball progression through a junior club, academy program
and university scholarships
• WBBL players delivering basketball coaching in primary and secondary schools across Essex

LEICESTER RIDERS Morningside Arena, Leicester & Loughborough University

• Top of thriving player programme for female athletes in partnership with Loughborough University and
Charnwood College
• Working extensively in the Leicestershire area in Primary and Second schools to provide opportunities for the next
generation to fall in love with the game

BA LONDON LIONS Copper Box Arena, London & University of East London

• Run the 14-19 years Barking Abbey Basketball Academy

• Produced multiple senior and age group internationals
• Work closely with men’s BBL Lions programme promoting the sport in east London and Essex
MANCHESTER MYSTICS National Basketball Performance Centre, Manchester
• Runs U14, U16 and U18 teams and their Academy is supported by the University and St Peters High School
• The growing community programme is run in conjunction with the National Performance Centre in and around
the Manchester area
• Operated by Manchester Metropolitan University

NEWCASTLE EAGLES Eagles Community Arena, Newcastle

• Strong links with Newcastle and Northumbria Universities
• Runs a long established Eagles Community Foundation and their Hoops for Health Programme reaches
120 primary schools each year
• Operates a Central Venue League with U12, U14, U16 and U18 age groups playing every Saturday

NOTTINGHAM WILDCATS Nottingham Wildcats Arena, Nottingham

• Develop players from ground level to elite players starting as ‘Miniballers’ (Age 5) on to U14, U16, U18 and finally the
WBBL - produced over 100 players and coaches who have represented GB and England Basketball
• Run a school-based Student Athlete basketball programme which provides a 10-hour a week basketball timetable per
Student Athlete, alongside full-time education and prepares young people for higher education and the world of work
• Run a Smaller Ballers Primary School Programme, which is run throughout the Greater Nottingham Area

OAKLANDS WOLVES Oakland College Sports Zone, St. Albans

• Run U12, U14, U16 & U19 teams and are associated with basketball provision at the University of Hertfordshire
• Offer a range of programmes in the community including Schools programmes for Key Stage 1 & 2 and Russell
 Hoops a community partnership to deliver in curriculum and after School basketball sessions.

SEVENOAKS SUNS Sevenoaks School, Sevenoaks

• Run a girls U12, U14, U16 and a Div1 Women’s Team
• Run a number of development programmes in the Sevenoaks and Tonbridge area.
• Aim to develop elite players and help young people develop into mature, confident and self-reliant individuals.

PETERMANS SHEFFIELD HATTERS All Saints Sport Center, Sheffield

• Run teams at U10, U12, U14, U16, U18, Div2
• Offer Masters levels opportunities for female participants age 6 to 50+ years
• Runs an extensive community programme for both the young and the elderly and includes a central venue league
which involves 100’s of children from schools throughout the region
 AT EVENT & LEAGUE LEVEL
The WBBL hosts the regular season games in a number of different locations and venues around
England, Scotland and Wales. There are three major finals in the WBBL, the WBBL Cup, WBBL Trophy
and WBBL Play-Offs.

WBBL CUP FINAL WBBL TROPHY FINAL WBBL PLAY-OFF FINAL

ARENA BIRMINGHAM EMIRATES ARENA, GLASGOW THE O2, LONDON

5,000 FANS 3,000 FANS 9,000 FANS

Season 2018/19 Season 2018/19 Season 2018/19

ATTENDANCE: AUDIENCE DEMOGRAPHIC:

We can see an increase and interest in women’s 50% School and other youth groups
basketball and th WBBL, as the attendance is 29% Families
continually rising. The Play-Off Final saw a record
67% Social groups ABC1
WBBL attendance of close to 9000 people seated
last year.
55% Male
45% Female

ALL WBBL FINALS ARE

STREAMED VIA BBC SPORT
 EXCLUSIVE LEAGUE TITLE OPPORTUNITIES

“OVERALL TITLE PARTNER OF THE WBBL”

Go All-In and become our official league sponsor!

Other exclusive title partnerships, which will be offered as a package fit to your needs, including:

• OFFICIAL Beverage Partner • OFFICIAL Fitness Parter • OFFICIAL Music Streaming Partner
• OFFICIAL Energy Partner • OFFICIAL Print Media Partner • OFFICIAL Time Keeper

NAMING RIGHTS AT FINAL EVENTS

OFFICIAL NATIONAL CUP FINAL PARTNER WBBL

at the Arena Birmingham - Saturday 26th January 2020

OFFICIAL NATIONAL TROPHY FINAL PARTNER WBBL

at the Emirates Arena, Glasgow - Sunday 15th March 2020

OFFICIAL NATIONAL PLAY-OFF FINALS PARTNER WBBL

at the 02, London - Sunday, 17th May 2020

SIGNAGE & PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

We offer a wide range of signage and in-game promotion for sponsors,

which can be utilized and personalized; including:

ADVERTISEMENT LOGO PLACEMENT PROMOTIONS

• Electronic advertising boards • Players jerseys • Sponsored Half Time Competition
• Billboard • Branding on the show court • Sponsored “Fan Zone”
• Cube screen • Cheerleader’s, referee or mascot • Sponsored T-shirt Toss
• Page in the events brochure outfits • Branded Products
• Exclusive access to players for • Backdrop post interview • Activations for product sampling
promotional purposes • Website & social media channel

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SOME PEOPLE WANT IT TO HAPPEN
SOME WISH IT WOULD HAPPEN.
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN.

For further information about our partnership opportunities contact:

Julia Koeppl, WBBL Commercial Operations Officer,
Women’s British Basketball League
Tel: 07717 746651 / E-Mail: julia@wbbl.org.uk
Web: www.wbbl.org.uk