Disney, Google, Etsy, and More Brands Rush the Court at WNBA All-Star

Heading into WNBA All-Star Weekend, an increasing number of media, viewers, and fans are coming off the bench and getting in on the action.

Broadcaster Ion’s last WNBA doubleheader before All-Star on July 11 featured its most-watched game of the season between the Atlanta Dream and Indiana Fever—averaging roughly 1.5 million viewers and peaking at 1.8 million. Only a Fever matchup with the Chicago Sky last August brought more viewers (1.6 million) to Ion.

At ESPN and ABC, WNBA viewership is up 7% this year, with Disney Advertising revenue from the WNBA increasing 70% compared to last season.

The numbers showcase the sport’s growth heading into this weekend’s activities, with the Skills and 3-Point events on ESPN and ESPN+ on July 18, the All-Star Game on ABC on July 19, and both events streaming on Disney+.

Ad unit rates per 30 seconds have increased roughly 60% since last year—with Disney Advertising noting that certain WNBA ad packages are selling with higher pricing than the NFL, College Football Playoff, and NBA postseason. After Disney Advertising brought 60 new brands into the fold for WNBA broadcasts in 2025, that’s challenged the Walt Disney Company to find places to put them.

The company is bringing in WNBA Countdown, presented by Google on both nights; SportsCenter as part of its 50 States in 50 Days initiative; and Google Digital’s courtside WNBA Hoop Stream to enhance the broadcasts. It’s also bringing along its Vibe Check show with Elle Duncan, Monica McNutt, and Chiney Ogwumike while welcoming Good Morning America and host Robin Roberts as she interviews stars, including Breanna Stewart and Paige Bueckers.

“WNBA All-Star is definitely a huge success for us, but it is just one part of a much bigger story,” said Jacqueline Dobies, vp of revenue and yield management at Disney Advertising. “Just the overall growth of the league, growth of the audience, the ratings, the cultural impact, and advertiser interest. It’s undeniable.”

With ADWEEK heading to Indianapolis to take in WNBA All-Star Weekend for itself, here’s just a sampling (though not a complete rundown) of the brands and media on the ground for one of the biggest events in women’s sports:

Just Women’s Sports/Famous Footwear

Just outside of Gainbridge Fieldhouse at 110 S Pennsylvania St., Just Women’s Sports and Famous Footwear are hosting an activation featuring player interviews, giveaways, contests, a Famous Footwear Shoe Tunnel, and back-to-school gift cards for the first 50 fans through the door. Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie will be recording her Between the Lines show live on site and will launch a Famous Footwear campaign featuring her and her son. 

“WNBA All-Star has become the crown jewel of the women’s sports calendar, and we’re thrilled to be showing up in a major way across the entire weekend,” said Just Women’s Sports CEO Haley Rosen. 

American Express

The longtime official card partner of the WNBA gives its cardholders and their guests a fast lane for expedited entrance into the WNBA Live fan zone and lets them and up to three guests get into Gainbridge Fieldhouse quicker for both the 3-Point Contest/Skills Competition and All-Star Game.

Certain cardholders can also get $10 back when spending $100 or more on WNBA All-Star merchandise. 

AT&T

As the event’s title sponsor and one of the WNBA’s Changemaker partners, AT&T has more going on than most brands. 

It helps open All-Star Weekend with WNBA Changemaker Day community events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 15 before opening its WNBA Live activation at the Indiana Convention Center on July 18 and 19, including appearances from A’ja Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu, 4-Point fan shots 28 feet from the rim, and “M’VIP” nail art stations.

AT&T

On July 18, AT&T joins the Jr. WNBA in hosting a basketball skills clinic and panel discussion at the Chase Near Eastside Legacy Center, and the company follows it up on July 19 with a device distribution at the Indiana Black Expo with help from Dallas Wings guard DiJonai Carrington and AT&T chief marketing and growth officer Kellyn Kenny.

Finally, during the All-Star Game itself, AT&T is sponsoring the 4-Point Shot, placing two circles at each end of the court beyond the three-point line, 28 feet from the rim. Any shot made in the circle will be good for four points and will result in a charitable donation from AT&T to foundations supported by the WNBA and its players.  

AT&T

Etsy

For All-Star, Etsy recruited Cameron Brink, Skylar Diggins, Nneka Ogwumike, and Breanna Stewart to launch The Icon Collection—which was co-designed by Etsy sellers. The items hit Etsy on July 17 and will be worn by players on All-Star Weekend’s Orange Carpet arrivals and throughout a shopping experience at The Female Quotient’s FQ Lounge. 

Eli Lilly and Company

The Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical company, in partnership with Black Health Matters (BHM), is sponsoring free mammograms through its mobile screening unit on July 17 through 19 in Indianapolis. It’s teaming with figures in basketball, including Hannah Storm, Juju Watkins, and Andraya Carter, who’ll share their personal stories while taking part in other fan activities all weekend long.

The brand will air its “Hands” ads during the All-Star Game to encourage early breast cancer screenings.

Foot Locker

In partnership with Nike and Jordan Brand, Foot Locker is bringing The Hardwood House to Harrison Center (1505 N Delaware Street) on July 18 and 19 for trials, a custom sneaker lab, live DJs, influencer activations, youth basketball clinics, a charm bar, and multiple events on its court.  

State Farm

With Caitlin Clark and Juju Watkins among its spokespeople, State Farm continues to show up for women’s basketball by setting up shop at WNBA Live. 

Its activation provides fans lights and music for a tunnel walk, a From the Logo Shooting Challenge featuring Clark and Jake From State Farm (with scores tracked throughout the weekend on a live leaderboard), appearances from Clark, Watkins, and Jake, and a live host. Fans can win Play Society x State Farm “With the Assist” shirts or just share their tunnel walk and logo threes on social.

Outside, Jake’s Assist Fleet of pedicabs offers rides between key All-Star destinations, while the brand’s Logo Shots in the Wild put pop-up hoops and logos at various locations in Indianapolis to allow fans a shot at prizes.

Google

Google Pixel, the Official Fan Phone of the WNBA (and NBA), and Google Search teamed with brand consultancy Robot on an activation at WNBA Live and a series of virtual activations. 

Digitally, fans can take an interactive Google Search Trends quiz and join a WNBA team, have virtual try-ons of tunnel fits, take a look at Kelsey Plum and A’ja Wilson’s Hall of Fits with Circle to Search details about the display items, take media day photos with Best Take and give them backdrops with a Magic Editor feature, and hit the court for Video Boost-aided shots that will be shown on WNBA Live Jumbotron technology.

Plum and Wilson will show up for a Courtside Chat with Katie Feeney and a live hoops showcase with former Harlem Globetrotter Crissa Jackson to walk fans through her skills on the court.

Ally

Basically setting up an arcade at WNBA Live, Ally is giving fans a game debit card featuring one of its three athlete ambassadors—Breanna Stewart, Sydney Colson, and Paige Bueckers—for a “Savings Bucket Challenge” that lets them shoot at hoops of varying heights for a chance to win Ally x WNBA branded merch. Ally is also giving up to 1,500 fans complimentary League Pass subscriptions to let them watch the entire season’s games for free.

Finally, it’s collaborating with designer Jocelyn Hu on a limited-edition “Walking Bucket” hat, available at the Ally Store during All-Star Weekend for $50.50—a reference to Ally’s 50/50 Pledge to spend equally on paid media in both men’s and women’s sports.

Unrivaled HQ

It isn’t every day you see one league set up shop in the backyard of another’s All-Star Game, but when WNBA All-Stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart co-founded their 3-on-3 league and launched its successful first season earlier this year, they earned the right to a victory lap.

The Unrivaled HQ experience (sponsored by Sephora) gives fans who head to 416 Wabash St. a chance to pick their favorite club, see the general manager’s office, select a locker and a digital jersey (courtesy of Ally), take media day photos, walk the Sephora Tunnel, see a replica of the court, take part in shooting contests, and buy Unrivaled merch from Under Armour.  

Vox Media

Vox Media is basically handing soon-to-be-enshrined Hall of Famer Sue Bird the keys to Indianapolis’ Helium Comedy Club for the weekend, giving her some mics and letting her do her thing.

On July 18, Bird and World Cup/Ballon D’or-winning U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe take the stage for a live recording of the A Touch More: The Podcast with a yet-to-be-announced special guest. Later that day, Bird hosts a live version of her more basketball-centric Bird’s Eye View podcast, launched earlier this year. 

Togethxr

The women-focused media and commerce company behind the Everyone Watches Women’s Sports brand kicked off All-Star Week July 17 with an invite-only Queens of the Court Party for players co-hosted by Aflac.

The slate of events continues on July 19 with a Gameday Glam Covergirl Pop-Up at Elements Financial Club that opens a beauty lounge for touch-ups, a DJ set, drinks, and giveaways. Later that night, Togethxr teams with Bumble for “The Tip Off” exclusive networking event for industry leaders. 

It all builds to July 19, when Togethxr and Aflac host their Queens of the Court panel discussion at The Cabaret with Andraya Carter welcoming Sydney Colson, Rickea Jackson, Kate Martin, and Dawn Staley. That’s followed by a Timeout with Paula’s Choice at Proper, featuring a sideline chat with University of Connecticut stars Azzi Fudd and KK Arnold.

Throughout the week, Togethxr is also producing Ally Financial All-Access with Syd & TP to get behind-the-scenes looks at big events, Ally activations, and whatever catches Sydney Colson and Theresa Plaisance’s attention.

Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment

Partnering with Ensemble and iHeartMedia—as well as sponsors EssentiallySports, DoorDash, Viarae, and Next Is Now—Deep Blue turns the Bullseye Events Center into a multimedia experience on July 18.

Hall of Famer Sheryl Swoopes and journalist Terrika Foster-Brasby will be in the building for a live taping of their Levels to This podcast. The Indiana Fever’s Natasha Howard sits down with Josh Harwell of Essentially Sports for a conversation, Next Is Now previews its upcoming Roku docuseries Fastest Six Weeks in Sports, and ESPN journalist Sarah Spain closes it out with a taping of her Good Game podcast. 

The Female Quotient

The Female Quotient (The FQ), an experiential and media firm dedicated to equality in the workplace, pulls into The Hulman with some of the most powerful figures in women’s sports and the companies that support them—with help from sponsors Etsy, JPMorgan Chase, and Casamigos.

Hosting three panels on July 18, The FQ brings in the WNBA’s Chief Growth Officer Colie Edison to host a discussion featuring not only Amber Cox, COO and GM of the hometown Fever, but execs from the WNBA’s three newest franchises: Golden State Valkyries president Jess Smith, Toronto Tempo president Teresa Resch, and Portland Fire interim president Clare Hamill.

The FQ’s CEO Shelley Zalis hosts a second panel featuring lead marketers behind two of the most prominent brands in women’s sports: Delta CMO Alicia Tillman and State Farm’s evp and chief agency, sales, and marketing officer, Kristyn Cook. John McMichael, executive director of JPMorgan Chase, hosts a financial discussion to end the event.