WNBA’s investigation into Aces sponsorship, explained: League to look into Vegas tourism deal with defending champs

Business is booming in Sin City. For the Las Vegas Aces, that might not be a good thing, however.

The WNBA is reportedly investigating the nature of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s sponsorship deal with the franchise, which will see the LVCVA pay each Aces player $100,000 in 2024 and 2025.

The deal — despite being considered salary cap compliant because the city’s tourism authority did not negotiate with Las Vegas’ organization to set the terms of the agreement — is said to raise questions about the fairness and spirit of the league’s cap rules.

Here’s what you need to know as the Aces do battle with the WNBA’s higher-ups once more, this time in 2024.

MORE: City leaders offer Kelsey Plum, A’Ja Wilson, and more $100,000 each

WNBA’s investigation into Aces’ sponsorship deal, explainOn Friday, LVCVA president Steve Hill revealed that the organization, whose mission statement claims it hopes to “make Las Vegas the undisputed global destination for leisure and business travel,” is shelling out $100,000 to each Las Vegas player, from A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum to rookies Dyasha Fair and Kate Martin.

“The Aces have been on a historic run — two-time world champions,” Hill said to the players on a video posted to X. “We’re here to do something historic with them, too.”

The deal represents a significant windfall for Aces players. The WNBA’s fixed salary cap means the maximum that a player could receive in a contract is $252,450 (Jackie Young). As such, $100,000 — a drop in the bucket in the men’s game — makes for life-changing money in the W. Rookies like Fair and Martin are receiving even less, further highlighting the value (both monetarily and symbolically) of such a gesture.

Unsurprisingly, such a move could have sizable aftershocks across the league. Would such an endorsement lead to a greater influx of investment in the WNBA? Possibly. But the simple economics of the situation could make it more enticing for players to join the Aces, potentially diluting the balance of the league.

This isn’t the first time the Aces have raised alarms in the league office. a year ago, the league opened an investigation into the organization regarding alleged extra benefits, in addition to claims made about Dearica Hamby, who claimed that the team traded her to the Sparks due to her pregnancy.

In the end, the WNBA took away Las Vegas’ 2025 first-round draft pick and suspended head coach Becky Hammon for two games after finding the organization breached league rules regarding impermissible player benefits and workplace policies.

Author(s)

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News.