The WNBA is "rolling out a new brand identity that aims to attract a younger and more diverse audience" for the '19 season, according to John Lombardo of SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL. The league has also "signed a new top-level deal that will put AT&T’s logo on the front of all WNBA team jerseys." The brand reset "includes a new logo and color scheme and is supported by a new spot that will run across all league media assets and social media." It also "includes title sponsorship of the WNBA All-Star Game." Previously, the WNBA had a "marquee deal with Verizon that included the jersey presence." The WNBA last changed its logo in '13. The new branding will be "unveiled around this week’s WNBA draft," though the new logo "will not appear on player jerseys, basketballs and courts until next season due to production lead-time factors." However, the new branding "will appear in all other league visuals" immediately (SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 4/8 Issue).
BACK TO SCHOOL: In Eugene, Ryan Thorburn noted Univ. of Oregon G Sabrina Ionescu has "opted to stay" in school despite being "projected to be the top pick" in Wednesday’s WNBA Draft. After every home game at Matthew Knight Arena, there is "a line of people -- kids and adults, male and female -- waiting to get Ionescu’s autograph." During the school's postseason run, an online petition was started "asking Nike to start selling Oregon women’s basketball jerseys." The WNBA is still "struggling to step out of the shadow of the NBA." Perhaps Ionescu and her generation can "close the popularity and financial gap" during their careers (Eugene REGISTER-GUARD, 4/7).
