THE GREEN LIGHT
The league existed on paper before it lived on the floor.
The 1996 United States Olympic team helped build the audience, but the WNBA launch required its own leadership, players, cities and identity.
1996
“We Got Next” becomes a league
The NBA Board of Governors approved the concept of the Women’s National Basketball Association, with play scheduled to begin in June 1997.
1996
Val Ackerman takes the first chair
Ackerman was named the WNBA’s first president and guided the league from launch through its early expansion era.
1996
The first player signings
Sheryl Swoopes and Rebecca Lobo became the first announced WNBA signees. Lisa Leslie, Ruthie Bolton and other stars soon followed.
1996
Eight cities get the call
Charlotte, Cleveland, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, Sacramento and Utah were announced as the charter markets.
THE ORIGINAL EIGHT
Four East. Four West. One opening chapter.
Three charter teams still play in their original markets. One active franchise changed cities twice. Four branches eventually closed, but none disappear from the archive.
1997 to 2006
1997 to 2003
1997 to 2008 · first champions
Charter market · still in New York
Charter market · still in Los Angeles
Charter market · still in Phoenix
1997 to 2009
Utah → San Antonio → Las Vegas Aces
BUILDING THE FIRST ROSTERS
One player pool was not enough.
The first teams were assembled through allocations, an Elite Draft and the inaugural WNBA Draft. That system brought together Olympic stars, international veterans, established professionals and college standouts.
Player allocation
The league assigned its first 16 players to teams. Swoopes landed in Houston, Lobo in New York and Leslie in Los Angeles.
Elite Draft
Sixteen veteran players joined the talent pool. The Utah Starzz selected Dena Head with the first Elite Draft pick.
Inaugural WNBA Draft
Houston selected USC forward Tina Thompson first overall. She would become a four time champion and one of the league’s foundational stars.
Training camps open
The first eight teams moved from lists on paper to lineups on the floor.
THE FIRST SUMMER
The opening season made its own receipts.
New York defeated Los Angeles 67 to 57 before 14,284 fans at the Great Western Forum.
The Sparks guard scored the first basket in WNBA history.
Each team played a compact summer regular season before the first playoffs.
League attendance crossed one million during the inaugural season.
The Comets defeated New York 65 to 51 to become the inaugural champions.
Cooper won the first regular season MVP and powered Houston’s championship run.