NEW YORK, Oct. 19, 2021 – 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.