The WNBA, also referred to as the W, was created by the NBA board of governors in 1996. Rebecca Lobo and Sheryl Swoopes become the first players to sign with the WNBA. Later that month, eight teams were chosen for the W: the Charlotte Sting, Cleveland Rockers, Houston Comets, Los Angeles Sparks, New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury, Sacramento Monarchs, and the Utah Starzz. The first game was the New York Liberty against the Los Angeles Sparks played on June 21, 1997. This was the start of the Women’s National Basketball Association.
Lisa Leslie attempts to block Rebecca Lobo above. Photographed by Kevork Djansezian
Even after it was announced there would be a women’s basketball league, some people still wondered why is this being created? The league was created to make a space where women could continue their career in basketball, for the end of a women’s career in basketball used to be college or the Olympics; women in basketball needed more options. After its creation, the WNBA began to grow more and more with iconic moments that shaped the league.
The first four years the league existed, the Houston Comets went on to win the WNBA Championship for four years in a row asserting their dominance. Also, there were WNBA records to be made. For instance, before 2002, people doubted that women could dunk in the WNBA; however, Lisa Leslie proved them wrong and became the first player to dunk in WNBA history: a moment that changed women’s basketball forever and left people speechless. Also in 2002, Sue Bird joined the WNBA. In her 21 seasons with the W, she still holds the record for the most assists, games played, minutes played, All-Star appearances, and seasons played.
Sue Bird after her final game during the WNBA playoffs in 2022. Photographed by Steph Chambers
According to Heritage High School’s basketball player Kayden Hobbs, the WNBA has had an impact on her. “[The WNBA] helps me analyze what makes these women successful. I’m not just studying the game; I’m understanding it on a level I didn’t before.” Hobbs also reflected on the WNBA getting more recognition as of late. She emphasized that “it’s everything.” She continued by saying, “As a girl in sports, not having a lot of support in the crowd is hard and having that support we need could help win games.” She finished by stating that the WNBA is important for all women’s sports, not just basketball.
The league is still growing today and will continue to grow. There are currently 13 teams in the WNBA with plans of expanding to 18 in the next few years. When Caitlin Clark entered the basketball scene in 2020, the world was shook forever. In the 2024 WNBA draft, Clark was the first overall pick. Clark’s skills boosted TV ratings for women’s college basketball receiving the name “the Caitlin Clark effect”. The following year, another player became popular: Paige Bueckers played for the college team the UConn Huskies for 5 seasons and now plays for the Dallas Wings in the WNBA. Bueckers gained popularity from her on court talent and social media presence. Throughout the years, the WNBA has grown and evolved, and it will continue to do so.
