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Category: WNBA
Golden State Valkyries: The Complete History
Golden State Valkyries: The Complete History of the WNBA’s Newest Franchise. The Golden State Valkyries are one of the newest WNBA franchise, basketball, but their arrival represents something much bigger than simply adding another WNBA team. The Valkyries brought WNBA basketball back to the Bay Area in 2025, becoming the league’s 13th franchise and the first WNBA expansion team since 2008. The franchise is owned and operated by the Golden State Warriors organization and plays its home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. Unlike most franchises that have decades of history behind them, the Valkyries are writing their history almost in real time. Their first two seasons have already produced a Coach of the Year, a Most Improved Player, multiple All-Stars, a playoff appearance, expansion records and one of the strongest fan responses in WNBA history. The Birth of the Golden State Valkyries On October 5, 2023, the WNBA announced that the Golden State Warriors had been awarded an expansion franchise. The team would begin play in 2025, making it the first new WNBA franchise since 2008. The franchise was designed to represent the entire Bay Area while maintaining strong ties to Oakland and San Francisco. The team’s headquarters were established at the Warriors’ former Oakland facility, while home games would be played at Chase Center in San Francisco. The team name Valkyries was inspired by Norse mythology. The organization described the name as representing warrior women who are fearless and unwavering. The result was a new identity built around strength, competition and the Bay Area’s long tradition of women’s basketball. Valkyries Ownership History Because the Valkyries are an expansion franchise, their ownership history is very short. Golden State Warriors Ownership — 2023-Present The WNBA franchise was awarded to the Golden State Warriors organization in 2023. The team is backed by Warriors Co-Executive Chairman and CEO Joe Lacob and Co-Executive Chairman Peter Guber. Lacob and Guber purchased the Warriors in 2010 and subsequently developed the organization that eventually launched the Valkyries. Joe Lacob has been particularly visible in the Valkyries organization. The WNBA’s team information lists Lacob as the owner, while the franchise has described Lacob and Guber as the ownership leadership behind the organization. Ownership timeline 2023-present: Golden State Warriors ownership group Key ownership leaders: Joe Lacob and Peter Guber There has been no previous Valkyries owner, because the franchise did not begin WNBA play until 2025. Every Arena the Valkyries Have Called Home The Valkyries have played their regular-season home games at one primary arena, but another arena has officially hosted a Valkyries home playoff game. Chase Center — San Francisco Chase Center is the Valkyries’ permanent home arena. The 18,064-seat facility opened in 2019 in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood and is also the home of the Golden State Warriors. The Valkyries played their first-ever regular-season home game at Chase Center on May 16, 2025, against the Los Angeles Sparks. Their 2025 schedule contained 22 regular-season home games at the arena. Chase Center quickly became known to Valkyries supporters as “Ballhalla.” The building has been central to the team’s remarkable attendance story. The Valkyries sold out every regular-season home game in both 2025 and 2026. The franchise announced in September 2026 that it had become the first WNBA team to sell out every regular-season home game in each of its first two seasons. SAP Center — San Jose The SAP Center became a temporary Valkyries home for the franchise’s first playoff home game. During the 2025 postseason, Chase Center was unavailable because of a previously scheduled event. The Valkyries therefore moved their first-round Game 2 against the Minnesota Lynx to SAP Center in San Jose. The game was played September 17, 2025. Thus, the complete list of arenas in which the Valkyries have played a designated home game is: Chase Center — San Francisco SAP Center — San Jose Chase Center remains the franchise’s permanent home. The 2025 Inaugural Season The Valkyries’ first season immediately became historic. Rather than struggling through a typical expansion season, Golden State won 23 regular-season games, setting a WNBA record for victories by an expansion team. Even more significantly, the Valkyries became the first expansion team in WNBA history to reach the playoffs in its inaugural season. The team finished the regular season with a 23-21 record and entered the playoffs as the No. 8 seed. Golden State faced the No. 1-seeded Minnesota Lynx in the first round. The Valkyries lost the series, but their postseason appearance established a foundation that few expansion teams had ever matched. 2026: The Valkyries Take Another Step The Valkyries entered their second season with substantially higher expectations. By September 2026, Golden State had already established another remarkable mark: the franchise announced that it had sold out all 22 regular-season home games for the second consecutive season. The team was also leading the WNBA in average attendance, with 18,064 fans per game. The 2026 team also developed into one of the league’s strongest defensive clubs. As of late September, Golden State had a 31-12 record and had already secured a playoff berth. The organization entered the 2026 postseason having established itself as more than a typical expansion franchise. WNBA Hall of Famers Who Earned Their Hall of Fame Credentials as Valkyries This is an important distinction. The Valkyries have several experienced WNBA players, including players who have won championships or earned major league honors elsewhere. However, under the specific standard of this article—players or coaches whose Hall of Fame credentials were earned as members of the Valkyries—the answer is currently: None. The Valkyries have not yet had a player or coach inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame or Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame specifically on the strength of a Valkyries career. That is not surprising. The franchise… Continue reading Golden State Valkyries: The Complete History
Toronto Tempo: The Beginning of Canada’s WNBA Era
I treated this as a Toronto Tempo history, current through the end of the 2026 regular season. I also included the Connecticut Sun legacy section you requested, including Sun players who won WNBA MVP and Rookie of the Year while members of the Sun. Writing Toronto Tempo: The Beginning of Canada’s WNBA Era The Toronto Tempo: Canada’s First WNBA Team The Toronto Tempo made history in 2026 when they became the first Canadian franchise in the Women’s National Basketball Association. The WNBA awarded Toronto an expansion franchise in May 2024, with the team scheduled to begin play in the 2026 season. The franchise became the league’s 14th team at the time of the announcement and opened an entirely new chapter for professional women’s basketball in Canada. The Tempo played their first regular-season game on May 8, 2026, hosting the Washington Mystics at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Toronto finished its inaugural regular season 11–29. The creation of the Tempo was about more than adding another team to the WNBA. It represented the league’s first permanent move outside the United States and gave Canadian basketball fans a WNBA franchise they could call their own. Who Owns the Toronto Tempo? The Tempo are controlled by Kilmer Sports Ventures, led by chairman Larry Tanenbaum. Tanenbaum is a major figure in Toronto professional sports. He is also chairman of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and has been involved in the ownership and operation of several major Canadian sports properties. The publicly identified Toronto Tempo ownership group has grown since the franchise was awarded. Toronto Tempo ownership group Larry Tanenbaum / Kilmer Sports Ventures — controlling ownership Serena Williams — joined the ownership group in 2025 Lilly Singh — joined the ownership group in 2025 Sukhinder Singh Cassidy Lilly Singh France Margaret Bélanger Masai Ujiri Kyle Lowry — joined in 2026 Ayahna Cornish-Lowry — joined in 2026 The exact financial percentages of the individual investors have not been publicly disclosed, so it is more accurate to describe these people as members of the ownership group rather than assign them specific percentages. Serena Williams’ involvement was particularly significant because she became one of the most prominent former athletes to invest in a WNBA franchise. Former Toronto Raptors star Kyle Lowry and his wife, Ayahna Cornish-Lowry, later joined the ownership group, further connecting the Tempo to Toronto’s basketball community. Every Arena the Tempo Has Called Home Because Toronto began play only in 2026, the Tempo have a very short arena history—but their inaugural season was designed to take the WNBA across Canada. Coca-Cola Coliseum — Toronto Coca-Cola Coliseum is the Tempo’s primary home arena. The historic facility at Exhibition Place became the team’s principal home when the franchise began play in 2026. The building has a basketball capacity of roughly 8,000 and provides the Tempo with a downtown Toronto home. The team’s first regular-season home game was played there on May 8, 2026, against the Washington Mystics. Scotiabank Arena — Toronto The Tempo also played selected home games at Scotiabank Arena, the major downtown Toronto venue that is home to the Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs. Three Tempo regular-season home games were scheduled there during the inaugural season. Playing at Scotiabank Arena gave the new WNBA franchise an opportunity to appear in one of Canada’s most recognizable sports buildings. Bell Centre — Montreal The Tempo took the WNBA to Montreal during its first season, playing two home games at Bell Centre. This was an important part of the organization’s stated goal of building a national Canadian following rather than limiting the franchise’s identity to Toronto. Rogers Arena — Vancouver The Tempo also played two home games at Rogers Arena in Vancouver. Those games helped establish the idea of the Tempo as Canada’s WNBA team, with regular-season basketball being presented to fans in different parts of the country. Tempo home arenas in 2026 Arena City Role Coca-Cola Coliseum Toronto Primary home Scotiabank Arena Toronto Selected home games Bell Centre Montreal Selected home games Rogers Arena Vancouver Selected home games The 2026 season therefore established an unusual feature of Tempo history: the franchise’s home schedule was spread across several Canadian cities. The First Tempo Coach The first head coach in Toronto Tempo history is Sandy Brondello. Brondello entered Toronto with an extensive WNBA coaching résumé. Before taking charge of the Tempo, she had coached the San Antonio Silver Stars and New York Liberty and had a highly successful tenure with the New York Liberty She also coached the Australian national team. Brondello therefore became an important part of the Tempo’s foundation. The organization did not simply hire a coach to get through an expansion season; it placed an experienced WNBA coach at the center of the franchise’s basketball identity. The Most Outstanding Coach in Early Tempo History At this early stage of the franchise, Sandy Brondello is the defining coach in Tempo history simply because she is the coach who established the team’s first system, first roster and first WNBA season. Her long WNBA résumé also gives Toronto a coach with experience in building competitive teams and managing established stars. The Tempo’s coaching history is still being written, but Brondello will always have the distinction of being the first head coach in franchise history. The First Tempo Players Toronto’s inaugural roster combined established WNBA veterans with rookies and international players. Among the prominent members of the first team were: Marina Mabrey, Brittney Sykes, Nyara Sabally, Isabelle Harrison, Kia Nurse, Temi Fagbenle Julie Allemand, Kiki Rice, Laura Juškaitė, Teonni Key María Conde Canadian fans had a particularly strong connection to Kia Nurse, who returned to Canada as a member of the country’s first WNBA franchise. The first season produced several important candidates for recognition, but Marina Mabrey emerged as one of the most significant offensive players in the inaugural season. Mabrey dramatically increased her scoring production after joining Toronto and produced one of the most memorable individual performances in early Tempo history with a 53-point game against the Los Angeles Sparks… Continue reading Toronto Tempo: The Beginning of Canada’s WNBA Era
Connecticut Sun: The Complete History
The history of the Connecticut Sun is one of the most unusual stories in professional basketball. The franchise began in Orlando as the Orlando Miracle in 1999, moved to Connecticut in 2003, became the first WNBA franchise independently owned outside an NBA organization, reached the WNBA Finals four times, produced two league MVPs and a Rookie of the Year, and built a reputation around toughness, defense and consistency. The Connecticut chapter of the franchise comes to an end after the 2026 season, when the team moves to Houston under new ownership. The WNBA approved the sale to Tilman J. Fertitta in May 2026, with the relocation scheduled for the 2027 season. The Beginning: The Orlando Miracle The franchise entered the WNBA as the Orlando Miracle for the 1999 season. The team was part of the RDV Sports organization associated with Orlando Magic owner Rich DeVos. The Miracle played in Orlando from 1999 through 2002. The Miracle’s best season came in 2000, when the club finished 16-16 and reached the playoffs. Players such as Nykesha Sales, Taj McWilliams-Franklin and Shannon Johnson became important parts of the franchise’s early identity. After the 2002 season, the franchise was moved to Connecticut. The Move to Connecticut In 2003, the Mohegan Tribe purchased the franchise and moved it from Orlando to Uncasville, Connecticut, renaming it the Connecticut Sun. The move was historic because the Mohegan Tribe became the first Native American tribe to own a professional sports franchise. The Sun immediately became a unique WNBA franchise. Rather than sharing a market with an NBA team, the club was built around the Mohegan Sun complex and developed a strong identity of its own. The team quickly became competitive. Under head coach Mike Thibault, Connecticut reached the WNBA Finals in both 2004 and 2005. The Sun also established itself as one of the league’s most consistent playoff franchises. Connecticut Sun Ownership History Connecticut Sun owners 1. Rich DeVos / RDV Sports — Orlando Miracle Era 1999-2002 The franchise began as the Orlando Miracle under the ownership structure of RDV Sports, associated with Orlando Magic owner Rich DeVos. 2. Mohegan Tribe — Connecticut Sun Era 2003-2026 The Mohegan Tribe purchased the franchise in 2003 and relocated it to Connecticut. The Mohegan ownership period lasted more than two decades and became the defining era of the franchise. The Sun reached the WNBA Finals four times during this period: 2004, 2005, 2019 and 2022. 3. Tilman J. Fertitta — Houston Era Beginning in 2027 In May 2026, the WNBA and NBA approved the sale of the Connecticut Sun to Tilman J. Fertitta. The franchise will relocate to Houston following the 2026 season. Thus, the ownership history is: Rich DeVos / RDV Sports — 1999-2002 Mohegan Tribe — 2003-2026 Tilman J. Fertitta — 2027 forward Every Arena the Franchise Has Called Home TD Waterhouse Centre — Orlando The Orlando Miracle played its home games at the TD Waterhouse Centre in Orlando from 1999 through 2002. The arena later became known as the Amway Arena before being demolished in 2012. Mohegan Sun Arena — Uncasville, Connecticut When the franchise moved to Connecticut in 2003, it established Mohegan Sun Arena as its permanent home. The 10,000-seat arena became one of the most recognizable venues in the WNBA and was the center of Connecticut Sun basketball for 24 seasons. Additional 2026 Home Dates The Sun’s final Connecticut season included special home games outside Mohegan Sun Arena. In 2026, Connecticut also hosted regular-season games at: Peoples Bank Arena — Hartford, Connecticut TD Garden — Boston, Massachusetts These were special 2026 home dates rather than permanent replacements for Mohegan Sun Arena. WNBA Hall of Fame and Basketball Hall of Fame Connections The Sun have had several players and coaches who are members of major basketball halls of fame. However, there is an important distinction: being a Hall of Famer who played for Connecticut is not necessarily the same thing as being inducted because of accomplishments achieved as a Sun. Following that distinction, the most important names are: Taj McWilliams-Franklin Taj McWilliams-Franklin was one of the foundational stars of the Connecticut Sun. She helped lead Connecticut to the WNBA Finals in 2004 and 2005 and was a six-time WNBA All-Star. She was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024. Her Hall of Fame résumé covers her entire career, however, rather than being exclusively a, Connecticut Sun achievement. Lindsay Whalen Lindsay Whalen played for Connecticut from 2004 through 2009 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022. Her Hall of Fame career, however, is most closely associated with her tremendous accomplishments with the Minnesota Lynx, including four WNBA championships. Therefore, under the specific criterion of not counting players or coaches whose Hall of Fame credentials were primarily earned with another team, Whalen should not be listed as a Sun Hall of Famer. Rebecca Lobo Rebecca Lobo finished her WNBA career with Connecticut and is a Naismith Hall of Famer. Her greatest professional accomplishments came before joining the Sun, particularly during her early WNBA career with the New York Liberty, so she also does not qualify under a strict “earned the Hall of Fame as a Sun” standard. Under the strict standard requested here—Hall of Fame recognition earned as a Connecticut Sun player or coach rather than primarily through accomplishments with another organization—the Sun do not currently have a Naismith Hall of Fame player whose induction was based specifically on a Connecticut Sun career. That distinction is important because the Sun have nevertheless employed several Hall of Fame-caliber players and coaches. WNBA Rookie of the Year as a Sun Player The Connecticut Sun have had one player win the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award while playing for the franchise: Tina Charles — 2010 The Sun selected Tina Charles No. 1 overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft. Charles immediately became one of the league’s dominant interior players and won the 2010 WNBA Rookie of the… Continue reading Connecticut Sun: The Complete History
Seattle Storm: Complete History,
The Seattle Storm are one of the most successful franchises in WNBA history. Founded in 2000, the Storm have won four WNBA championships, produced multiple league MVPs and Rookie of the Year winners, developed Naismith Basketball Hall of Famers, and become one of the most enduring women’s professional sports organizations in the Pacific Northwest. The franchise’s greatest eras have been built around legendary players such as Lauren Jackson, Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart. Its history also includes pioneering ownership, championship coaches and a remarkable ability to remain competitive through generations of players. The Storm’s four WNBA championships came in 2004, 2010, 2018 and 2020. The Birth of the Seattle Storm The WNBA awarded Seattle an expansion franchise in 1999, with the team beginning play in the 2000 season. The franchise became known as the Seattle Storm and originally operated in conjunction with the The Birth of the Seattle Storm’s Seattle SuperSonics. The Storm played their first season at Key Arena, the building that had been the home of the Super Sonics. Seattle immediately established itself as a legitimate WNBA franchise, but the team’s transformation into a championship organization began with the arrival of Lauren Jackson. The Owners of the Seattle Storm The Storm’s ownership history is particularly interesting because the franchise changed hands during the controversial departure of the Seattle Super Sonics. Howard Schultz and the Seattle Super Sonics ownership group When the Storm began play in 2000, the franchise was owned as part of the Seattle Super Sonics organization. Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz had purchased the Super Sonics and Storm in 2001, and the Storm remained under the Sonics ownership structure during the early part of its history. The Storm’s first years were therefore closely connected with the NBA franchise. Clay Bennett and Professional Basketball Club LLC In 2006, the Super Sonics and Storm were sold to a group headed by Oklahoma businessman Clay Bennett. That ownership group ultimately moved the SuperSonics to Oklahoma City following the 2007–08 season. The Storm’s situation was different. Rather than moving to Oklahoma City, the Storm were sold separately. Force 10 Hoops — 2008 On February 28, 2008, the Storm were purchased by Force 10 Hoops LLC for $10 million. The original Force 10 ownership group consisted of four Seattle women: Anne Levinson, Lisa Brummel, Dawn Trudeau and Ginny Gilder. The purchase was historically important because it kept the Storm in Seattle when the future of professional basketball in the city was uncertain. Anne Levinson subsequently left the ownership group, leaving Brummel, Trudeau and Gilder as the principal Force 10 owners. Sue Bird Joins the Ownership Group In 2024, Storm legend Sue Bird joined the ownership group. Bird’s addition was especially significant because she had spent her entire WNBA playing career with Seattle, from 2002 through 2022. She had already become one of the defining figures in franchise history as a player before becoming an owner. Bobby Wagner Joins the Ownership Group. In 2026, Seattle Seahawks legend Bobby Wagner joined the Storm ownership group. His addition expanded the ownership group with another prominent Seattle sports figure. The Storm described the organization as having four WNBA championships and 19 playoff appearances through 25 seasons when announcing Wagner’s addition. The current ownership structure is centered on Force 10 Hoops, with Lisa Brummel, Dawn Trudeau and Ginny Gilder among the principal owners, along with newer ownership partners including Sue Bird and Bobby Wagner. Every Arena the Seattle Storm Have Called Home The Storm have had a more complicated home-arena history than many WNBA teams because of the rebuilding of their longtime Seattle Center home. Key Arena — 2000–2018 Key Arena was the Storm’s original and longest-running home. The Storm played there from their inaugural 2000 season through 2018. It became one of the great home courts in WNBA history. Seattle went 209–110 at Key Arena, a .655 winning percentage, and had 15 winning seasons at the building between 2000 and 2018. Key Arena witnessed two Storm championships: 2004 2010 It also witnessed the team’s 2018 championship run. The final Storm game at the old Key Arena was Game 2 of the 2018 WNBA Finals, a 75–73 Seattle victory over the Washington Mystics. Seattle then won Game 3 in Washington to capture its third championship. Alaska Airlines Arena — 2020 scheduled home When the original Key Arena was being redeveloped, Seattle planned to use the University of Washington’s Alaska Airlines Arena for the first portion of its 2020 home schedule. The Storm’s announced 2020 schedule called for 10 home games at Alaska Airlines Arena. However, the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically changed the 2020 WNBA season. The league ultimately played its season in The IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, so Alaska Airlines Arena did not function as a normal Storm home venue during an actual 2020 regular season University of Washington’s Alaska Airlines Arena — Everett The Storm also planned to play home games at Angel Of The Winds Arena in Everett during the arena-construction period. The 2020 schedule called for Seattle to move there after the Olympic break. Again, the pandemic prevented that planned home schedule from occurring. Florida — 2020 WNBA Bubble The 2020 season deserves special mention. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire WNBA season was played at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Consequently, the Storm technically had no conventional Seattle home games in 2020. Seattle won the WNBA championship in the Florida bubble. In 2021, however, Angel Of The Winds Arena actually became a Storm home venue. The team opened the 2021 season there while COVID-19 restrictions limited attendance. The Storm welcomed the Las Vegas Aces to Everett for the home opener on May 15, 2021. Angel Of The Winds Arena — 2022–Present The newly redeveloped Climate Pledge Arena opened at Seattle Center in October 2021. The Storm returned to downtown Seattle… Continue reading Seattle Storm: Complete History,
Los Angeles Sparks: History and Legacy
Los Angeles Sparks: History, Owners, Arenas, Hall of Famers and the Legacy of a WNBA Powerhouse The Los Angeles Sparks are one of the original franchises of the Women’s National Basketball Association and one of the most important teams in the history of women’s professional basketball. From the league’s first game in 1997 to three WNBA championships, multiple league MVPs, Hall of Fame players, Olympic champions and generations of outstanding talent, the Sparks have built a legacy that stretches well beyond their championship banners. The franchise has remained in Los Angeles since the WNBA’s inaugural season and has been home to some of the greatest players in women’s basketball history, most notably Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker. The Beginning of the Los Angeles Sparks The Sparks were established for the WNBA’s inaugural 1997 season as one of the league’s original eight franchises. Their first game was particularly historic. On June 21, 1997, the Sparks hosted the New York Liberty at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood. Penny Toler scored the first basket in WNBA history, giving the Sparks a permanent place in the league’s history from the opening minute of the first game. Los Angeles finished its first season 14–14. The early years were a period of development, but the arrival and development of Lisa Leslie helped transform the franchise. By 1999, the Sparks had their first winning season, finishing 20–12 and making their first playoff appearance. The team defeated the Sacramento Monarchs in the opening round before losing to the eventual champion Houston Comets in the Western Conference Finals. The Sparks were no longer simply an expansion team. They were becoming a contender. The Owners of the Los Angeles Sparks The Sparks have had several ownership groups during their history. Jerry Buss — 1997–2006 The franchise originally belonged to Dr. Jerry Buss, the longtime owner of the Los Angeles Lakers. The Sparks operated as the Lakers’ sister WNBA franchise during their first decade. Buss’s ownership connected the new women’s league with one of the most recognizable basketball organizations in the world. Buss owned the Sparks from the franchise’s beginning in 1997 until 2006. Gemini Basketball LLC — 2006–2011 In 2006, Buss sold the Sparks to Gemini Basketball LLC. The ownership group included: Carla Christofferson, Kathy Goodman, and Lynai Jones. The new ownership represented a transition from NBA ownership to independent ownership of the WNBA franchise. Williams Group Holdings — 2011–2014 Williams Group Holdings, headed by Paula Madison, became the team’s controlling ownership group during the next period. Carla Christofferson and Kathy Goodman remained involved, while Sparks legend Lisa Leslie was also part of the ownership group for a period. The ownership era became increasingly difficult financially, and by the end of 2013 Williams Group Holdings announced that it could no longer continue operating the franchise. The WNBA became involved in the transition while a new ownership group was sought. Sparks LA Sports — 2014–present In February 2014, a group led by Mark Walter and Earvin “Magic” Johnson purchased the Sparks. The ownership group included: Mark Walter, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Stan Kasten, Todd Boehly, Bobby Patton, and Eric Holoman. The purchase was especially important because it kept the Sparks in Los Angeles at a time when the franchise’s future had been uncertain. The current ownership group is known as Sparks LA Sports. Every Arena the Sparks Have Called Home The Sparks’ primary home has been downtown Los Angeles for most of their history, but scheduling and arena construction have occasionally required the team to move games to other venues. Great Western Forum — 1997–2000 The Great Western Forum in Inglewood was the original home of the Los Angeles Sparks. It was the site of the first game in WNBA history involving the Sparks and New York Liberty. The Forum was the Sparks’ home during their first four seasons. Staples Center — 2001–2021 The Sparks moved downtown to Staples Center in 2001. The move immediately became part of the franchise’s greatest era. The Sparks won WNBA championships in 2001 and 2002 during their early years at the arena. Staples Center was renamed Crypto.com Arena in 2021. Los Angeles Convention Center — 2021 Because of scheduling conflicts involving the Lakers and Clippers during the pandemic-delayed sports calendar, the Sparks played the first 11 of their 16 regular-season home games in 2021 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The Sparks returned to Staples Center for their final five home games and playoffs. Galen Center — 2023 The Sparks used USC’s Galen Center for two home games during the 2023 season. One example was the August 23, 2023 home game against the Phoenix Mercury. Walter Pyramid — 2024 Construction at Crypto.com Arena forced the Sparks to schedule early-season games at the Walter Pyramid at Long Beach State. The Sparks ultimately played two home games there, against Atlanta and Washington, before other scheduled games were moved back to Crypto.com Arena. Crypto.com Arena — 2001–present Crypto.com Arena, originally known as Staples Center, remains the Sparks’ primary home. The arena has witnessed all three Sparks championships associated with their downtown era: 2001, 2002 and 2016. The Sparks have continued their relationship with the arena, with a lease extension keeping them there through 2029. The Sparks’ WNBA Hall of Fame Players The WNBA does not operate a separate Hall of Fame comparable to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. For this article, the Hall of Fame category refers to players who have been inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and whose major professional legacy includes their time with Los Angeles. Under that standard, the two defining Sparks players are Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker. Lisa Leslie Lisa Leslie is the foundational superstar of the Los Angeles Sparks. Drafted by Los Angeles in 1997, Leslie spent her entire WNBA career with the Sparks from 1997 through 2009. Her Sparks accomplishments include: Three WNBA MVP awards Two WNBA championships Two WNBA Finals MVP awards Eight All-Star selections Eight All-WNBA First Team selections Two Defensive Player of… Continue reading Los Angeles Sparks: History and Legacy
Chicago Sky: The History, Heroes and Legacy of Chicago’s WNBA Franchise
The Chicago Sky have traveled a remarkable road since becoming a WNBA expansion franchise in 2006. From their early years at the UIC Pavilion, through their seasons at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, and finally to their current home at Wintrust Arena, the Sky have developed from a new franchise searching for an identity into a WNBA championship organization. The Sky have produced some of the greatest players in women’s basketball, including Elena Delle Donne, Sylvia Fowles, and Candace Parker They have also developed stars such as Courtney Vandersloot, Kahleah Copper and others who helped establish Chicago as an important destination in women’s professional basketball. The defining moment came in 2021, when the Sky captured their first WNBA championship. The Birth of the Chicago Sky Chicago was awarded a WNBA expansion franchise in February 2005, with the team beginning play during the 2006 season. The Sky were unusual from the beginning because they were independently owned rather than operated by the NBA’s Chicago Bulls. Michael J. Alter was the lead investor in the group that brought professional women’s basketball back to Chicago. Margaret Stender became the franchise’s first employee and served as its founding president and CEO during its formative years. The name “Chicago Sky” was chosen to connect the franchise with Chicago’s famous skyline and architecture. The original identity featured sky blue and yellow, colors that became closely associated with the franchise. The team played its first season in 2006. The beginning was difficult. The inaugural Sky team won only five games, but the organization began building the foundation for a much more successful future. Chicago Sky Ownership Because the Sky began as an independently owned franchise, ownership has included a group of Chicago-area investors rather than a single traditional sports conglomerate. Michael J. Alter Michael J. Alter has been the principal owner and central figure in the franchise from its beginning. He led the investment group that established the Sky and remains principal owner today. Margaret Stender Margaret Stender was one of the original investors and served as the Sky’s founding president and CEO. The Sky’s current media guide continues to identify her as a minority owner. John W. Rogers Jr. John Rogers, founder of Ariel Investments, has been part of the Sky ownership group and is listed by the team as an owner. Harvey Alter Harvey Alter is also listed as an owner in the current Sky organization. Nadia Rawlinson Nadia Rawlinson joined the ownership group in 2023 and became co-owner and operating chairman. She remains in that position. Other Original Investors: The original ownership group was larger than the individuals normally identified as the team’s principal owners. Contemporary reporting has identified investors including Michelle Williams, Juanita Vanoy Jordan, Sue Wellington, Linda Friedman and Steven Rogers, among others. The complete original investor list was not publicly released. That is an important distinction: there is a difference between every original investor in the franchise and the individuals publicly identified as owners in the team’s official records. Every Arena the Chicago Sky Have Called Home The Sky have had three principal home arenas during their history. UIC Pavilion — 2006–2009 The UIC Pavilion was the Sky’s original home. The franchise played its inaugural season there in 2006 and remained at the University of Illinois Chicago facility through the 2009 season. This was where Chicago fans first watched the Sky become a WNBA franchise. Allstate Arena — 2010–2017 For the 2010 season, the Sky moved north to Allstate Arena in Rosemont. The move gave the Sky access to a much larger building, and the team remained there for eight seasons. The Sky reached the million-fan attendance milestone during their time at Allstate Arena. Wintrust Arena — 2018–Present The Sky returned to the city of Chicago in 2018 when they moved into Wintrust Arena at McCormick Square. The move was significant because the team once again had a permanent home inside Chicago proper. The Sky have played their home games at Wintrust Arena since 2018. Wintrust Arena also became the home court for the greatest achievement in franchise history: the 2021 WNBA championship season. The Early Years The Sky’s first several seasons were a period of building. The franchise went through several coaches and roster changes while attempting to establish itself. The early head coaches were Dave Cowens, Bo Overton and Steven Key. One of the first major building blocks arrived in the 2006 draft when Chicago selected Candice Dupree with the sixth overall pick. Another important early breakthrough came in 2007. Armintie Price Becomes Chicago’s First Rookie of the Year In the 2007 WNBA Draft, the Sky selected Armintie Price with the third overall pick. Price immediately made an impact. She became the 2007 WNBA Rookie of the Year, giving Chicago its first major individual league award. This was an important moment because the Sky were no longer simply an expansion franchise trying to survive. They were beginning to develop players capable of becoming major figures in the league. Elena Delle Donne Changes the Franchise The most important draft in Sky history came in 2013. Chicago selected Delaware star Elena Delle Donne with the second overall pick. She immediately became one of the WNBA’s most recognizable players. Delle Donne won the 2013 WNBA Rookie of the Year Award as a member of the Sky. Two years later she reached an even greater level. 2015 WNBA MVP — Elena Delle Donne In 2015, Elena Delle Donne became the first Chicago Sky player to win the WNBA Most Valuable Player Award. This is an especially important distinction because Delle Donne won the award as a Sky player, rather than receiving an MVP award for accomplishments with another franchise. Delle Donne’s time in Chicago established her as one of the greatest players in franchise… Continue reading Chicago Sky: The History, Heroes and Legacy of Chicago’s WNBA Franchise
Washington Mystics: Complete WNBA History
The Washington Mystics are one of the WNBA’s original franchises, beginning play in 1998 as part of the league’s second season. Based in Washington, D.C., the Mystics have experienced nearly every stage of a professional sports franchise’s development—from difficult expansion years and coaching turnover to superstar players, multiple WNBA Finals appearances and, ultimately, a championship. The franchise has been home to players such as Chamique Holdsclaw, Alana Beard, Crystal Langhorne, Elena Delle Donne, Emma Meesseman, Natasha Cloud and Ariel Atkins. Its greatest achievement came in 2019, when Washington defeated the Connecticut Sun in five games to win its first WNBA championship. As of the 2026 season, the Mystics remain one of the WNBA’s established franchises and are entering another period of rebuilding and development under head coach Sydney Johnson and general manager Jamila Wideman. The Birth of the Washington Mystics The Mystics were awarded to Washington before the 1998 season. The franchise was connected from the beginning with Washington’s NBA team, then the Washington Wizards, and the ownership of Abe Pollin. Washington’s first game was played during the inaugural season of the Mystics in 1998. Their first home games were played in the arena that opened as The franchise name “Mystics” was announced in December 1997. It fit with Washington’s existing “Wizards” identity and its magical theme. The early years were difficult. The Mystics went through several coaches and struggled to establish themselves as a winning team. One of the earliest major developments came when Washington obtained Nikki McCray, who had been an MVP in the rival American Basketball League. McCray became one of the early faces of the franchise. Washington Mystics Owners The Mystics have had two primary ownership eras 1. Abe Pollin and Washington Sports & Entertainment — 1998–2005 Abe Pollin, the longtime owner of Washington’s NBA franchise, was the original owner of the Mystics. Pollin and his wife, Irene, were major figures in Washington professional sports. Their organization brought the WNBA to Washington and operated the Mystics during the franchise’s first seven seasons. During this period, Washington played its home games at MCI Center, later renamed Verizon Center and eventually Capital One Arena. 2. Ted Leonsis and Monumental Sports & Entertainment — 2005–present In May 2005, Ted Leonsis and his Lincoln Holdings ownership group purchased the Mystics from Pollin’s Washington Sports & Entertainment organization. Sheila C. Johnson became an important part of the new ownership group and was named president, managing partner and governor of the Mystics. Contemporary reports described Johnson as the first Black woman to become an owner-partner of three professional sports franchises. Leonsis subsequently became the controlling owner of the broader Monumental Sports & Entertainment organization. Today, the Mystics are part of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, with Ted Leonsis continuing as controlling owner. Every Arena the Mystics Have Called Home The Mystics have had an interesting arena history because Washington has used both its large downtown arena and its smaller Southeast Washington facility. MCI Center — 1998–2006 The Mystics began playing at MCI Center in downtown Washington. The building opened in December 1997, just before the Mystics began their inaugural season. Washington’s first WNBA home games were played there. The Mystics also established an early attendance record at MCI Center when 20,674 fans watched Washington defeat the Utah Starzz in 1998. Verizon Center — 2006–2017 MCI Center was renamed Verizon Center in 2006. The Mystics continued to play there as their primary home. Capital One Arena — 2017–2018 and selected later games The building became Capital One Arena in 2017. The Mystics continued playing there before moving their primary home to Southeast Washington. The building has remained part of the franchise’s history, however, with selected Mystics games returning there in later seasons. EagleBank Arena — Fairfax, Virginia EagleBank Arena at George Mason University became an important secondary venue for the Mystics. Washington played there during the 2018 WNBA Finals because renovations prevented the team from using its normal downtown arena. The Mystics hosted the Finals at EagleBank Arena before the series concluded with Seattle winning the championship. The Mystics returned to EagleBank Arena for two regular-season games in 2025. Entertainment and Sports Arena — 2019–2025 The Mystics moved to the new Entertainment and Sports Arena in Southeast Washington in 2019. The 4,200-seat building became the franchise’s permanent home and provided the Mystics with a smaller basketball-specific environment. It immediately became part of Mystics history. , In October 2019, Washington defeated Connecticut in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals in front of its home fans to win the championship. CareFirst Arena — 2025–present The Entertainment and Sports Arena received a new naming-rights agreement in 2025 and became CareFirst Arena. The Mystics continue to use the building as their primary home. For the 2026 season, nearly all Washington home games are scheduled for CareFirst Arena, with the September 24 game against Chicago scheduled for Capital One Arena. CFG Bank Arena — Baltimore The Mystics expanded their regional schedule in 2025, playing two regular-season home games at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore. The move was part of an effort to bring Mystics games to fans throughout the Washington-Baltimore region IMG Academy — Bradenton, Florida The COVID-19 pandemic produced one of the strangest seasons in WNBA history. The entire 2020 season was played at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, without fans. Consequently, the Mystics did not play conventional home games in Washington that season. Every Mystics Head Coach The Mystics have had a remarkable number of head coaches over their history. Jim Lewis — 1998 Lewis was the franchise’s first head coach. He coached the first 18 games of the Mystics’ inaugural season .Cathy Parson — 1998 Parson took over during the 1998 season and finished Washington’s inaugural campaign. Nancy Darsch… Continue reading Washington Mystics: Complete WNBA History
Phoenix Mercury History: WNBA
Phoenix Mercury History: Owners, Championships, Stars, Drafts and the Greatest Moments The Phoenix Mercury are one of the original franchises of the WNBA and one of the league’s most successful teams. Founded in 1997, the Mercury have built their identity around fast-paced basketball, outstanding guards and some of the greatest players in WNBA history. Phoenix has won three WNBA championships — 2007, 2009 and 2014 — and has been home to players such as Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Penny Taylor, Cappie Pondexter, DeWanna Bonner and Michele Timms. The Beginning of the Phoenix Mercury The Mercury were one of the WNBA’s original eight franchises in 1997. The team was closely connected to the Phoenix Suns organization and was originally owned by Jerry Colangelo, who was also a central figure in bringing the WNBA to Phoenix. The Mercury’s first head coach and general manager was basketball legend Cheryl Miller. The original team featured Australian star Michele Timms, Jennifer Gillom and Bridget Pettis. Pettis became the franchise’s first draft selection. The decision to place a WNBA franchise in Phoenix was strongly supported by Colangelo. The Mercury’s own historical account describes him as the team’s president and owner during the league’s formation. Phoenix Mercury Owners The Mercury have had three principal ownership eras. Jerry Colangelo — 1997–2003 Jerry Colangelo was the original owner and one of the most important figures in establishing the Mercury. He helped make Phoenix one of the WNBA’s original franchises. Robert Sarver — 2004–2022 Robert Sarver became owner of the Phoenix Suns and Mercury in 2004. His ownership lasted through the Mercury’s 2007, 2009 and 2014 championship eras. Mat Ishbia — 2023–present Mat Ishbia became owner of the Phoenix Suns and Mercury in 2023. The Mercury’s current WNBA team page lists Ishbia as the franchise owner. Phoenix Mercury Home Arenas The Mercury have essentially had one home building throughout their existence, although the building has gone through numerous names. America West Arena 1997–2006 This was the Mercury’s original home. US Airways Center 2006–2015 The building changed its name from America West Arena to US Airways Center in 2006. Talking Stick Resort Arena 2015–2020 The arena received another naming-rights change in 2015. Phoenix Suns Arena 2020–2021 The building briefly carried the Phoenix Suns Arena name. Footprint Center 2021–2025 The arena became Footprint Center in 2021. PHX Arena / Mortgage Matchup Center era 2025–present The building has undergone another naming change, but it remains the Mercury’s home in downtown Phoenix. The franchise’s current WNBA page lists the arena as its home venue. Thus, although the name on the building has changed several times, the Mercury have remained in the same downtown Phoenix arena since the franchise began. The Three Mercury Championships 2007 — The First Championship The 2007 season changed the Mercury’s place in WNBA history. Led by Diana Taurasi, Cappie Pondexter and Penny Taylor, Phoenix finished the regular season 23–11 and reached the Finals against the Detroit Shock. The Mercury lost the first game of the Finals but recovered to win the series 3–2. The deciding Game 5 was played in Detroit. Phoenix won 108–92, becoming the first WNBA team to win a championship-clinching game on the road. Cappie Pondexter was the 2007 Finals MVP, averaging 22.0 points and 5.6 assists during the series. 2007 Championship stars Diana Taurasi, Cappie Pondexter, Penny Taylor, Tangela Smith, and Kelly Miller 2009 — The Second Championship The 2009 Mercury were one of the most explosive offensive teams in WNBA history. Phoenix finished 23–11 and faced the Indiana Fever in the Finals. The opening game was extraordinary: Phoenix defeated Indiana 120–116 in overtime, at the time the highest-scoring game in WNBA history. Indiana subsequently took a 2–1 series lead, but Phoenix won Game 4 on the road and returned home for Game 5. The Mercury won the deciding game 94–86, capturing their second championship. Diana Taurasi won both the WNBA MVP and Finals MVP awards in 2009. She averaged 20.4 points and 6.8 rebounds in the Finals. 2014 — The Third Championship The 2014 Mercury produced one of the greatest regular seasons in franchise history. Phoenix finished 29–5, then went through the playoffs and defeated the Chicago Sky 3–0 in the Finals. The championship was particularly notable because Phoenix had Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner at the center of its lineup. Griner won the 2014 Defensive Player of the Year award, while head coach Sandy Brondello was named Coach of the Year. Taurasi was the Finals MVP. Phoenix swept Chicago in the Finals, winning the franchise’s third championship. Mercury Award Winners Phoenix has produced an unusually large collection of major WNBA individual award winners. WNBA Most Valuable Player Diana Taurasi — 2009 Taurasi became the first and, to date, only Mercury player to win the regular-season WNBA MVP award while playing for Phoenix. She also won Finals MVP in 2009. WNBA Finals MVPs Cappie Pondexter — 2007 Pondexter led Phoenix to its first championship and averaged 22.0 points per game in the Finals. Diana Taurasi — 2009 Taurasi won Finals MVP while also winning the regular-season MVP. Diana Taurasi — 2014 Taurasi won her second Finals MVP after leading Phoenix to the championship. Rookie of the Year Diana Taurasi — 2004 Phoenix selected Taurasi first overall in the 2004 WNBA Draft. She immediately became one of the league’s leading players and was named Rookie of the Year. Defensive Player of the Year Brittney Griner — 2014 Brittney Griner — 2015 Griner won Defensive Player of the Year in consecutive seasons. Her combination of size, mobility and shot-blocking transformed the Mercury defense. She eventually became the franchise’s all-time leader in blocked shots. Coach of the Year Sandy Brondello — 2014 Brondello led Phoenix to a remarkable 29–5 regular season and the WNBA championship. She was named Coach of the Year. Sixth Woman of the Year DeWanna Bonner — 2009 DeWanna Bonner — 2010 DeWanna Bonner — 2011 Bonner was an unusual and extremely valuable player because she could provide major scoring production coming off the bench. She… Continue reading Phoenix Mercury History: WNBA
Minnesota Lynx History:
The Minnesota Lynx have grown from a 1999 expansion franchise into one of the most successful organizations in WNBA history. Their story includes four WNBA championships, multiple league MVPs, a remarkable collection of WNBA championships, one of the longest coaching tenures in professional basketball, and a championship core that remained together for much of the 2010s. The Lynx were announced as a WNBA expansion franchise in April 1998 and began play in 1999. Their home throughout their history has been Target Center in downtown Minneapolis, with the exception of the 2020 COVID-19 season, when the entire WNBA season was played at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The Beginning of the Minnesota Lynx Minnesota received a WNBA expansion franchise in 1998 along with the Orlando Miracle. The new Minnesota team was named the Lynx in December 1998. The franchise played its first game on June 12, 1999, defeating the Detroit Shock 68-51 at Target Center. Minnesota finished its first season 15-17. The early years were difficult. The Lynx went 15-17 again in 2000 and fell to 12-20 in 2001. After beginning the 2002 season 6-13, the team replaced original head coach Brian Agler with Heidi VanDerveer on an interim basis. The franchise began to change direction under Suzie McConnell Serio, who became head coach for the 2003 season. Minnesota made the playoffs in both 2003 and 2004, and McConnell Serio won the 2004 WNBA Coach of the Year Award. The Lynx were still searching for the formula that would eventually make them a championship team. That formula arrived in stages. Lynx Ownership History Glen Taylor — 1999-2025 Glen Taylor was the original controlling owner associated with the Lynx. Taylor had purchased the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1994 and operated the Lynx when the franchise began play in 1999. In October 2002, Taylor became the majority owner of the Lynx after the WNBA’s ownership structure changed. Taylor and his wife, Becky, remained associated with the franchise for more than two decades. During that period, the Lynx won all four of their WNBA championships. Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez — 2025-Present In June 2025, NBA approval was given for Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez to take control of the Timberwolves and Lynx from Taylor. For the Lynx, Rodriguez became the governor and Lore the alternate governor. The ownership change ended the Taylor era, which had lasted from the franchise’s beginnings through four championship seasons. Home Arenas Target Center — Minneapolis, Minnesota Target Center has been the Lynx’s primary home since the franchise began in 1999. The downtown Minneapolis arena opened in 1990 and is also home to the Minnesota Timberwolves. It underwent a major renovation in 2017. The Lynx won all four of their WNBA championships while playing their home games at Target Center. IMG Academy — Bradenton, Florida The 2020 season was the exception. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire WNBA season was moved to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Games were played without normal in-person attendance. The Lynx went 14-8 during the unusual 2020 season and reached the semifinals. After 2020, the Lynx returned to Target Center. The Lynx’s Four WNBA Championships 2011 — defeated Atlanta Dream, 3-0 2013 — defeated Atlanta Dream, 3-0 2015 — defeated Indiana Fever, 3-2 2017 — defeated Los Angeles Sparks, 3-2 The four championships franchises of the 2010s. The Lynx also reached the WNBA Finals in 2016, losing to the Los Angeles Sparks, and returned to the Finals in 2024, losing a five-game series to the New York Liberty. 2011: The First Championship The 2011 season changed the history of the franchise. Minnesota went 27-7, a dramatic 14-game improvement from 2010. Rookie Maya Moore joined Seimone Augustus, Lindsay Whalen and Rebekkah Brunson to form the foundation of the championship team. The Lynx swept Atlanta in the Finals. Seimone Augustus averaged 24.6 points per game in the Finals and won Finals MVP. Maya Moore was named Rookie of the Year. Cheryl Reeve was named Coach of the Year. 2013: Championship No. 2 Minnesota again swept Atlanta in the Finals. Maya Moore was named Finals MVP after averaging 20 points and six rebounds during the series. The 2013 team was particularly impressive defensively, holding Atlanta to an average of only 66.3 points per game in the Finals. 2015: Championship No. 3 The 2015 championship was different. Minnesota faced the Indiana Fever in a five-game Finals series. The Lynx won Game 5 at Target Center. Sylvia Fowles, acquired by Minnesota during the season in a trade with Chicago, became the difference-maker inside and was named Finals MVP. One of the most famous plays in franchise history also occurred earlier in the series. With Game 3 tied against Indiana, Maya Moore hit a three-pointer from the top of the key at the buzzer to give Minnesota the victory. 2017: Championship No. 4 The 2017 Lynx finished 27-7 and returned to the Finals for a rematch with Los Angeles. Minnesota won Game 5 at home, 85-76, to capture its fourth championship. Sylvia Fowles was named both WNBA MVP and Finals MVP. The victory gave Minnesota its fourth championship and placed the franchise alongside the Houston Comets as the only teams at the time with four WNBA titles. Major WNBA Award Winners While With Minnesota The Lynx have produced an extraordinary collection of league award winners. WNBA Most Valuable Player Maya Moore — 2014 Moore became the first Lynx player to win the league MVP award in 2014. Sylvia Fowles — 2017 Fowles followed Moore three years later. She led Minnesota to a 27-7 record while winning both regular-season MVP and Finals MVP. WNBA Rookie of the Year … Continue reading Minnesota Lynx History:
