For the W, a new digital content series produced by Bally Bet and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, launched Friday. The series features players from the Mercury, including all-time great Diana Taurasi, sharing their experiences.
Bally Bet and the Phoenix Mercury entered a partnership deal last year, the first of its kind between a sportsbook and women’s professional team. One of the partnership’s goals is to let fans learn more about Mercury athletes.
Episode One, titled The G. O. A. T, features Taurasi preparing for her 18th season in the WNBA after losing to the Chicago Sky in the 2021 finals.
“When you go deep into a playoff run like that, you give everything you have,” Taurasi says during the episode. “Physically, mentally, I was exhausted. To get back in the gym, you always have to make that firm decision. You always have to look yourself in the mirror and ask, ‘do you want to do this again?’ I still want to fight. I still like to compete.”
“People talk about players being the greatest of all-time and they use that phrase a lot, but with Diana, it’s the truth,” said Phoenix General Manager Jim Pitman in a statement. “There has never been a competitor in our organization like Diana Taurasi.”
Future episodes will showcase stories from first-year head coach Vanessa Nygaard, players Skylar Diggins-Smith and Kia Nurse, and Mercury rookie players and staff.
“As the first gaming partner in women’s pro sports and one of the largest corporate partners of any WNBA team, Bally’s is proud to sponsor a content series that allows women’s sports stories to be told to a wide audience,” said Bally’s Interactive Chief Operating Officer Adi Dhandhania in a statement. “The ups and downs of an athlete are metaphors for life and the perseverance, tenacity and commitment to excellence shown in these episodes inspire us all – irrespective of gender.”
