Game 1 of the 2023 WNBA Finals between the New York Liberty and the Las Vegas Aces shattered viewership records, attracting an average audience of 729,000, according to ESPN. This surge in viewership follows a notable increase in fan engagement throughout the regular season. The WNBA recently made headlines by introducing a new franchise, the Golden State Warriors, marking the first expansion in over a decade. Excitingly, the new team is set to debut in 2025.
As the WNBA continues to expand, several franchises are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance fan experiences and meet the growing demands of their fanbase. The Las Vegas Aces, for instance, have partnered with ON (formerly GameON Technology), utilizing their advanced AI chat platform.
“It’s been an exceptional season for both our platform and the WNBA,” shared Alex Beckman, CEO and co-founder of ON, in an interview with Fox News Digital. “We’re thrilled to be working with the Aces, powering their communication with fans throughout the playoffs.”
Data has demonstrated promising results for AI chat usage this season. “We’ve observed remarkable statistics. The WNBA teams we collaborate with have done a remarkable job integrating AI chat. We’ve seen a 30% engagement click-through rate for content. This means that one out of every three pieces of content sent to fans through chat is being opened and engaged with,” explained Beckman.
The engagement rate for ticketing-based opportunities is even more impressive, with a 70% click-through rate. Typically, content enjoys higher engagement than business opportunities, but in this case, the demand for tickets has exceeded expectations. “There is a strong connection between the WNBA fans and the teams. Fans who are utilizing the chat feature are actively seeking to attend games, and they find chat to be an excellent tool for securing their spot in the stadium,” Beckman added.
It’s worth noting that five NBA teams already own WNBA teams, including the Indiana Pacers (Indiana Fever), Minnesota Timberwolves (Minnesota Lynx), Washington Wizards (Washington Mystics), Brooklyn Nets (New York Liberty), and Brooklyn Nets (New York Liberty). With the addition of the Bay Area team, this ownership group will expand to six.
“We are delighted to bring the WNBA to the Bay Area, a region known for its passionate basketball fans and unwavering support for women’s basketball,” stated Commissioner Engelbert in a press release.
Engelbert commended Warriors co-owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber for their success in building an influential NBA franchise. She sees the new WNBA franchise as further evidence of the league’s potential for growth. Lacob and Guber will own and operate the upcoming WNBA team.
“Joe Lacob, Peter Guber, and their leadership team possess the knowledge and expertise required to create and manage an exceptional organization, as demonstrated by the immense success of the Warriors’ franchise both on and off the court over the past decade,” expressed Engelbert. “Their decision to join the WNBA family highlights the league’s capacity for future expansion.”
Game 1 of the WNBA Finals attracted not only enthusiastic fans but also NBA players and A-list celebrities. Iconic figures like LeBron James, a four-time NBA champion, and NFL legend Tom Brady were seen courtside, along with singer Kehlani, who eagerly watched the highly anticipated matchup.
“We’ve witnessed tremendous growth throughout the season. It’s exciting to have a team in the finals, as it allows us to compare regular season engagement with playoff engagement, which we’ll closely analyze once the season concludes,” Beckman remarked.
The new Bay Area team will play its home games at San Francisco’s Chase Center, with their headquarters located in the former practice facility of the Golden State Warriors. The team’s name is currently being finalized.
Chantz Martin, a sports writer for Fox News Digital, contributed to this report.
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