 has announced a $100,000 sponsorship deal for each of the 12 players on the current Aces roster. ){kind=link}
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LCVA) has announced a $100,000 sponsorship deal for each of the 12 players on the current Aces roster.
The sponsorship deal will total around $1.2million per season.
Speaking on the proposed deal, Aces superstar A’ja Wilson has revealed the players were every bit as surprised as the general public when news of the deal broke late last week.
“I don’t think people really understand, but we didn’t know what was going on. Our city is behind us 100% and they’re giving us what we deserve,” she said. “We’re a big deal to this city.”
The Aces are currently chasing their third consecutive WNBA league title, and the LCVA appear to hope this boost will provide the added motivation the players need to continue dominating the Western Conference.
The LCVA exists to promote Las Vegas as a tourism hotspot and drive tourism revenue throughout the city.
It is unclear how the Aces will play a part, and whether there will be contract obligations the players will have to meet.
The concept is new to the WNBA as a whole, with the league opening an investigation into the proposition.
Aces point guard Kelsey Plum revealed she doesn’t feel the WNBA’s scepticism is justified.
“The higher the level, the higher the devil,” Plum said. “They just try to take your joy and we won’t let them. This is a great thing for WNBA players.
“People are seeing the investment in women’s sports. They’re saying they love the way we represent Las Vegas and they’re rewarding us as a team.
“This is a leadership action and hopefully, this happens in other cities.”
The WNBA operates under a collective bargaining agreement, meaning deals normally have to go through the WNBA first.
However, with the LCVA offering sponsorship to the players and not the organisation, it appears to follow in line with the rules, keeping sponsorship separate from the league.
The Aces host the Phoenix Mercury later on Tuesday evening in a bid to maintain top spot in the Western Conference.
READ MORE: Who are the Las Vegas Aces and when are they playing in Las Vegas?