WNBA
The WNBA is the premier professional women's basketball league in the United States, featuring 12 teams and showcasing top female athletes.
Last updated October 30, 2026
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Overview
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) is a professional basketball league in the United States, founded in 1996 as the women's counterpart to the National Basketball Association (NBA). The league began play in 1997 with eight teams and has since expanded to 12 franchises. The WNBA is headquartered in New York City and is privately owned by the NBA, though each team has independent ownership. The league's regular season runs from May to September, with the playoffs culminating in the WNBA Finals in October. The WNBA has produced numerous star players, including Cynthia Cooper, Lisa Leslie, Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, and A'ja Wilson, and has been a pioneer in promoting women's sports. Over the years, the league has secured national television deals with ESPN, ABC, and CBS, and has seen growing attendance and viewership. The WNBA also has a strong social justice platform and is known for its progressive stance on issues such as player activism and LGBTQ+ rights. In recent years, the league has expanded with new teams in Las Vegas (2018), New York (2020 rebrand), and Golden State (2025), and continues to elevate its profile through partnerships and media rights agreements.
History
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) was founded on April 24, 1996, as the women's counterpart to the NBA. The league was approved by the NBA Board of Governors and began play in 1997 with eight teams: the Charlotte Sting, Cleveland Rockers, Houston Comets, and New York Liberty in the Eastern Conference; and the Los Angeles Sparks, Phoenix Mercury, Sacramento Monarchs, and Utah Starzz in the Western Conference. The Houston Comets won the first four WNBA championships (1997–2000), led by Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, and Tina Thompson. The league expanded over the years, adding teams such as the Detroit Shock (1998), Washington Mystics (1998), Minnesota Lynx (1999), Indiana Fever (2000), Seattle Storm (2000), San Antonio Silver Stars (2003), Chicago Sky (2006), Atlanta Dream (2008), and Connecticut Sun (2003). The WNBA has also seen teams fold or relocate, including the Cleveland Rockers (2003), Charlotte Sting (2007), Houston Comets (2008), and Sacramento Monarchs (2009). In 2018, the league introduced a new playoff format and saw the relocation of the San Antonio Stars to Las Vegas as the Aces. The New York Liberty were sold to Joseph Tsai in 2019, and the team rebranded in 2020. The WNBA has been a leader in social justice initiatives, particularly after the 2020 season was dedicated to social justice following the killing of George Floyd. The league has also secured landmark media rights deals, including a 2023 agreement with Ion Television and a 2024 deal with NBC, Amazon, and ESPN worth approximately $2.2 billion over 11 years. In 2025, the Golden State Valkyries will join the league as its 13th team, and further expansion is planned for 2026 with teams in Toronto and Portland. The WNBA continues to grow in popularity, with record attendance and viewership in recent seasons.
WNBA founded by the NBA Board of Governors
First WNBA game played (New York Liberty vs. Los Angeles Sparks)
Houston Comets win first WNBA championship
WNBA announces first expansion team since 2000 (San Antonio Silver Stars)
WNBA announces new collective bargaining agreement
San Antonio Stars relocate to Las Vegas and become the Aces
Joseph Tsai agrees to purchase New York Liberty
WNBA season begins in Bradenton, Florida, dedicated to social justice
WNBA announces media rights deal with Ion Television
WNBA announces new media rights deals with NBC, Amazon, and ESPN
Products and positioning
The WNBA is positioned as the world's premier professional women's basketball league, dedicated to showcasing elite female athletes and promoting diversity, inclusion, and social justice.
WNBA League Pass
Streaming service for live and on-demand WNBA games
WNBA merchandise
Apparel, accessories, and memorabilia featuring WNBA teams and players
Controversies
2026
Atlanta Dream criticizes WNBA Finals game scheduling
The Atlanta Dream criticized the WNBA's decision to schedule a Finals game for Thursday afternoon. The team said its concerns about scheduling conflicts had not received the attention they deserved. The dispute centered on the timing of the Finals game and the team's stated view that its scheduling concerns were not adequately addressed.
Marketing campaigns
- Take a Seat, Take a Stand
- WNBA Count It
Sources4 sources
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