The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) has renewed its sponsorship of the Las Vegas Aces players for a second season, offering each player $100,000. All 13 players on the roster, including those injured or on maternity leave, have signed contracts according to LVCVA president Steve Hill. This sponsorship comes amid an ongoing WNBA investigation into the Aces, initiated after the LVCVA’s first sponsorship announcement in May 2024. The league has yet to provide updates on the probe.
The LVCVA’s sponsorship aims to promote Las Vegas through appearances and events involving the Aces players, separate from their team obligations. Last year, these events included appearances at high-profile venues like the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix. The sponsorship has been framed as a creative marketing initiative to highlight the disparity in pay between men’s and women’s sports, with the WNBA’s supermax contract significantly lower than equivalent contracts in men’s leagues.
The LVCVA funds its operations through room taxes and convention space rentals, working as the marketing organization for Southern Nevada. Last year’s sponsorship announcement garnered significant attention, achieving over 2.2 million views on social media, which Hill cited as a measure of success. The contracts with the players are negotiated directly with their agents, independent of the Aces organization, ensuring compliance with league rules while promoting Las Vegas as a destination.