Investing in sports – with a particular focus on women’s sports – has always been a priority at State Farm, and women’s basketball is a critical component of that sports strategy. This fall, coming off a historic WNBA season and heading into what’s primed to be another exciting women’s college basketball season, State Farm is continuing to deepen its investments through new talent relationships and elevated league sponsorships.

Signing JuJu Watkins to a NIL deal: State Farm has signed the USC sophomore and standout college basketball player to a NIL deal – only the second collegiate deal on behalf of the brand. As part of her relationship with State Farm, JuJu will appear in a Big Ten Network co-brand commercial called “One on One” alongside Jake from State Farm, airing Friday, Nov. 29.   

In addition to the NIL deal, State Farm is also the presenting sponsor of JuJu’s NBC Peacock docuseries, “On the Rise: JuJu Watkins,” presented by UNINTERRUPTED and 4.4.Fourty Media.

Kristyn Cook, Chief Agency, Sales and Marketing Officer at State Farm said, “Signing JuJu Watkins as our second-ever NIL deal adds another athlete to our roster who’s truly at the top of her game. JuJu was electric in her first season at USC and set the bar high for what she can accomplish over the next few seasons. State Farm has been investing in women’s sports for more than two decades because it’s smart business, and JuJu is a prime example of the passion and drive that makes the women’s game such a force. We look forward to what we can, and will, accomplish together in the women’s sports landscape.”

An official sponsor of the New Unrivaled Basketball League: State Farm has signed on as a sponsor of the new women’s professional three-on-three basketball league that tips off on Friday, Jan. 17. State Farm was also the presenting sponsor of the league’s Club Selection announced on Wed, Nov. 20.

“The popularity of women’s basketball continues to explode,” said Kristyn Cook, Chief Agency, Sales and Marketing Officer at State Farm. “Sponsoring Unrivaled is another opportunity for State Farm to deepen our long-standing investments in women’s sports. We want to be part of bringing awareness and excitement to this new league, and in doing so help grow the game for athletes and fans alike.”

 Caitlin Clark on Team State Farm: State Farm continues its relationship with the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark as a Team State Farm athlete. She is currently starring alongside ESPN reporter Cassidy Hubbarth and Jake from State Farm in an ESPN co-brand commercial called “Rookie Move.”  The commercial is in collaboration with Disney Advertising, Disney CreativeWorks and ESPN and falls under the brand’s Right Kind of Magic campaign.

Presenting sponsor of the 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft: On Friday, Dec. 6 on ESPN (6:30 p.m. EST), State Farm will proudly serve as the presenting sponsor of the first-ever nationally televised WNBA Expansion Draft.