Fanatics, the global e-commerce and merchandising giant, has announced a new sports betting-focused partnership with the Washington Spirit franchise of US women’s soccer’s top-tier NWSL.

The tie-up launched yesterday (September 12), when the Fanatics Betting and Gaming sportsbook launched in the US capital, with local gambling law necessitating a professional sports team partnership for launch in the state.

Washington Spirit facilitated that launch and Fanatics becomes the official sports betting partner of the team.

The sportsbook gains in-stadium signage at the team’s 20,000 capacity Audi Field stadium, and will activate at the stadium on fan-engagement activities.

Fanatics also gains marketing presence on the Spirit’s digital and social media channels.

The Washington Spirit is Fanatics’ first women’s soccer team partnership, and Spirit chief executive Kim Stone stated that the deal is an “indication of the momentum surrounding the Spirit and women's sports.”

Stone continued: “This collaboration gives us the chance to enter the sports betting space with a trusted brand, all while staying true to our commitment to integrity, empowering women, and creating great experiences for our fans."

Washington Spirit have played in the NWSL since its inception in 2012 and boast the likes of health organizations Inova and CareFirst, and sports video game company Matchday as partners.

The Washington DC-based team’s most prominent partner is CVS Health, another health company, which is the team’s front-of-shirt sponsor.

Back in February, the franchise announced a partnership with chocolate brand Snickers, a part of the Mars Wrigley conglomerate of brands, for the 2024 NWSL season.

The Snickers logo appears as a sleeve sponsor on all Spirit jerseys throughout the 2024 NWSL season, which began on March 16 and will run through November 23.