With as many as 23 free agents already earning million-dollar contracts, the WNBPA has partnered with JPMorganChase to launch a year-round financial education initiative for its player membership. The arrangement, facilitated by the union’s licensing and sponsorship rep OneTeam Partners, debuted at this week’s WNBPA’s Rookie Premiere and will give players access to JPMorganChase advisors. The individualized consultations will center around financial planning, wealth management, business development and entrepreneurship. Players will then share tips and insights on social media, shining a light on the multiyear deal that makes JPMorganChase Bank the official Financial Education Partner and Financial Services Sponsor of the union — at an opportune time.
With the league’s supermax salary now at $1.4M this season (up from $249,244) and the average salary between $580,000 and $600,000 (up from $120,000), union Exec Dir Terri Jackson said JPMorganChase’s platform will “ensure the women of the W can protect what they’ve earned and build generational security for themselves and their families.”
Just in the last few days alone, for instance, the Dream signed three players (Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard and Brionna Jones) to separate three-year deals worth a combined $10.1M. “Every player in this league is building something bigger than a career — we’re creating stability for ourselves, our families, and the players who will follow,” said Brianna Turner, WNBPA executive committee treasurer.
Not only did OneTeam Partners — and its President Frank Arthofer — carve out the JPMorganChase sponsorship, earlier this year it helped players secure $9.25M from trading cards deals, jersey sales, video games and other licensed apparel. All players, for instance, who suited up during that 2020-25 window will earn a payout, depending how many seasons they played. The union expects to share that money to its player membership by June 1 — another reason why this access to JPMorganChase is pertinent.
The WNBPA deal expands JPMorganChase’s presence in sports. It is also the official financial education partner of the youth and college athlete platform Hudl and a founding partner of League One Volleyball (LOVB).