Women's National Basketball Association
The Women's National Basketball Association officially received approval from the NBA Board of Governors on the 24th of April 1996. A press conference followed immediately with Rebecca Lobo, Lisa Leslie, and Sheryl Swoopes in attendance to announce the new league. League play began on the 21st of June 1997, when the New York Liberty faced the Los Angeles Sparks at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. A crowd of 14,284 attended that first game, which saw the Liberty defeat the Sparks by a score of 67, 57. Penny Toler scored the very first point of WNBA history during that opening matchup. The league started with eight teams divided into Eastern and Western conferences. Charlotte Sting, Cleveland Rockers, Houston Comets, and New York Liberty formed the East. Los Angeles Sparks, Phoenix Mercury, Sacramento Monarchs, and Utah Starzz made up the West. The initial marketing campaign was titled "We Got Next" and centered around stars like Lobo, Leslie, and Swoopes. Cynthia Cooper emerged as the league's first true MVP while playing for the Houston Comets. The Comets defeated the Liberty in the inaugural championship series. They went on to win four consecutive titles from 1997 through 2000 under head coach Van Chancellor. This dynasty featured Cooper, Swoopes, and Tina Thompson as their core trio. The team posted a combined record of 98 wins and 24 losses over those four seasons.
The league expanded rapidly after its founding year. Two new teams joined in 1998 when Detroit and Washington entered the fold. Orlando and Minnesota were added in 1999 to bring the total count to twelve franchises. A fourth wave of expansion occurred in 2000 with Indiana Fever, Seattle Storm, Miami Sol, and Portland Fire joining the ranks. WNBA president Val Ackerman stated at the time that growth would continue beyond these additions. Financial instability struck quickly however. The dot-com bubble burst led to ownership changes across the league by the end of 2002. Utah moved to San Antonio while Orlando relocated to Connecticut becoming the first third-party owned franchise. Two teams folded entirely during this period because no buyers could be found. The Miami Sol and Portland Fire ceased operations shortly after their debut seasons. The Cleveland Rockers became another casualty in 2003 when owners refused to keep the franchise running. The Houston Comets dynasty ended in 2008 when the league took over ownership due to lack of interested buyers. That same year saw the Detroit Shock relocate to Tulsa Oklahoma before moving again to become the Dallas Wings. The Sacramento Monarchs folded in November 2009 leaving the league with only twelve teams for fifteen years. The Charlotte Sting also disbanded in late 2006 leading to a dispersal draft held on the 8th of January 2007. Teams selected players in inverse order of their previous season records. The Chicago Sky received the first pick in that process.
Labor relations evolved significantly throughout the league's history. A collective bargaining agreement was signed in 1999 marking the first such deal in women's professional sports history. Players threatened to strike in 2003 if negotiations failed resulting in delayed preseason activities and the draft. The 2020 CBA represented a major shift in player compensation and benefits. Total player compensation increased by slightly more than 50 percent under this new agreement. All players benefited from salary increases though star athletes received larger raises. The deal allowed unrestricted free agency one year earlier than previously permitted. Air travel standards improved so all players flew premium economy class or better. Each athlete received her own hotel room during road games. Maternity leave policies were strengthened to provide full salary while players took time off. An annual childcare stipend of $5,000 per player became available through the union. Teams had to offer apartments with at least two bedrooms for players raising children. Family planning benefits included up to $60,000 reimbursement for adoption surrogacy embryo preservation or infertility treatment expenses. The agreement also addressed conflicts between playing WNBA and coaching NBA roles. Kristi Toliver worked as an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards while playing for the Mystics under previous rules. New regulations removed salary limits for veteran players serving on NBA staffs regardless of ownership structures.
Financial stability remained elusive for decades despite growing popularity. The NBA spent over $10 million annually keeping the league solvent during the mid-2000s. Teams lost between $1.5 million and $2 million each year by 2007 estimates. Projected losses reached approximately $400 million through the 2010 season according to league projections. Donna Onder reported in December 2010 that one team achieved cash flow positivity for the first time. Three teams turned profitable in 2011 while six did so by 2013. Adam Silver revealed in 2018 that the league had lost more than $10 million annually since inception totaling at least $280 million. Revenue growth accelerated dramatically by the 2024 season through multiple channels including media rights deals and expansion fees. A capital raise in February 2022 secured $75 million valuing the entire league at $475 million. Investors received 16 percent equity under those terms. Expansion fees began generating significant income starting with the Golden State Valkyries joining in 2025. That franchise paid a fee of $50 million over ten years. Additional teams planned for Cleveland Detroit Philadelphia Portland and Toronto will contribute further revenue streams. Ticket sales increased alongside strategic partnerships with major organizations. Forty percent of all generated revenue goes directly to teams and players while the rest supports the NBA and outside investors. Despite these improvements the league still projected a $50 million loss for the 2024 season overall.
Sue Bird holds the league's most significant longevity records with nineteen seasons played and 580 games participated in. Diana Taurasi leads all scorers with 10,646 career points across her tenure from 2004 through 2024. Tina Charles accumulated 4,207 rebounds making her the top rebounder in history. Courtney Vandersloot averages 6.62 assists per game holding the single-season record at 10.0 in 2020. A'ja Wilson currently leads scoring averages at 21.30 points per game for the Las Vegas Aces. Liz Cambage scored 53 points against Dallas Wings on the 17th of July 2018 setting the highest single-game total. Margo Dydek recorded 877 blocks playing for Utah Starzz San Antonio Silver Stars Connecticut Sun and Los Angeles Sparks between 1998 and 2008. Tamika Catchings stole 1,074 balls during her time with Indiana Fever from 2002 to 2016. The Minnesota Lynx won four championships between 2011 and 2018 under coach Cheryl Reeve. Sue Bird retired after the 2022 season having missed only two years due to injury. Diana Taurasi turned 42 early in the 2024 season becoming the oldest player to complete a full year of play. Nancy Lieberman played one game at age 50 signing a seven-day contract with Detroit Shock in 2008. She broke her own record as the league's oldest participant by appearing in that single contest.
Common questions
When did the Women's National Basketball Association officially receive approval from the NBA Board of Governors?
The Women's National Basketball Association officially received approval from the NBA Board of Governors on the 24th of April 1996. A press conference followed immediately with Rebecca Lobo, Lisa Leslie, and Sheryl Swoopes in attendance to announce the new league.
Who scored the very first point of Women's National Basketball Association history during the opening game?
Penny Toler scored the very first point of Women's National Basketball Association history during that opening matchup. League play began on the 21st of June 1997 when the New York Liberty faced the Los Angeles Sparks at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California.
Which teams folded or relocated during the financial instability period between 2003 and 2009?
The Miami Sol and Portland Fire ceased operations shortly after their debut seasons while the Cleveland Rockers became another casualty in 2003. The Houston Comets dynasty ended in 2008 when the league took over ownership due to lack of interested buyers and the Sacramento Monarchs folded in November 2009 leaving the league with only twelve teams for fifteen years.
What specific benefits were included in the 2020 collective bargaining agreement for Women's National Basketball Association players?
The 2020 CBA allowed unrestricted free agency one year earlier than previously permitted and provided full salary during maternity leave. Each athlete received her own hotel room during road games and an annual childcare stipend of $5,000 per player became available through the union.
Who holds the record for the highest single-game total in Women's National Basketball Association history?
Liz Cambage scored 53 points against Dallas Wings on the 17th of July 2018 setting the highest single-game total. Diana Taurasi leads all scorers with 10,646 career points across her tenure from 2004 through 2024.