The WNBA Mystics have signed Inova Health System to a multiyear jersey sponsorship deal. Team officials would not disclose terms but said it is the largest deal in the club's 13-year history. Inova Health System, with five hospitals and 1,725 beds in Northern Virginia, has been a Mystics team partner since May '10, sponsoring a School Day preseason game at Verizon Center and Mystics summer camps. The jersey deal fits perfectly with Inova's mission to promote awareness of chronic diseases affecting women and children such as child obesity, said hospital President & COO Mark Stauder. "There is no better way for Inova to spread the message on maintaining a healthy lifestyle than having premier women athletes display the company's brand during WNBA games," he said. Inova's name will be front and center on the Mystics' jerseys, part of the team's rebranding process that includes a new color scheme. A smaller Mystics logo will be attached to the jersey's front left corner. The Inova name will be attached to both home and road jerseys. The Mystics are the fifth WNBA team to sign a jersey deal after the Mercury (LifeLock), Sparks (Farmers Insurance), Liberty (Foxwoods Casino) and Storm (Bing). The Mercury and Sparks jersey deals, both signed prior to the '09 season, were reportedly valued at $1M annually. The Storm's jersey deal was done in April '10, followed by the Liberty's deal last June.
