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Tag: Los Angeles Sparks
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
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
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:
New York Liberty WNBA History
New York Liberty WNBA History: From the Inaugural Season to a Championship The New York Liberty are one of the original franchises of the WNBA and one of the league’s most recognizable teams. The Liberty were one of eight charter franchises when the WNBA began in 1997. They reached the league’s first WNBA Finals that year and came painfully close to becoming the league’s first champion. For more than two decades, New York repeatedly came close but could not win the championship. That changed in 2024. Led by Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, the Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx in a dramatic five-game WNBA Finals to win the first championship in franchise history. Jones was named Finals MVP. The Liberty’s history includes Hall of Fame players, legendary coaches, heartbreaking Finals defeats, spectacular draft choices, major free-agent acquisitions and one of the most famous shots in WNBA history. The Birth of the New York Liberty The Liberty were selected as one of the WNBA’s eight original franchises on October 30, 1996. The first Liberty players were Rebecca Lobo and Teresa Weatherspoon, who were assigned to New York in the league’s first player allocation. The franchise then selected Kym Hampton and Vickie Johnson in the 1997 Elite Draft and Sue Wicks in the inaugural WNBA Draft. New York’s first head coach was Nancy Darsch. The Liberty played their first game on June 21, 1997, defeating the Los Angeles Sparks 67–57. They finished their first season 17–11 and reached the inaugural WNBA Finals against the Houston Comets. The Liberty lost that championship game, but New York had immediately established itself as one of the league’s premier franchises. Liberty Owership History Because the WNBA originally operated largely through NBA-affiliated ownership, the Liberty’s ownership history is closely connected to the New York Knicks. 1997–2009: Cablevision The Liberty were originally operated by Cablevision, which owned the New York Knicks and Madison Square Garden organization. Cablevision’s ownership era covered the Liberty’s formative years and the team’s first four WNBA Finals appearances. 2010–2019: Madison Square Garden Company After the corporate separation of Madison Square Garden from Cablevision, the Liberty came under the Madison Square Garden Company. MSG remained the team’s owner until the franchise was sold in 2019. 2019–Present: Joe Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai On January 23, 2019, the WNBA and NBA Board of Governors approved the sale of the Liberty to an entity owned by Joe Tsai and his family. The Tsai family also became associated with the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center. The sale represented a major turning point for the Liberty organization. The Liberty are currently owned by Joe Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai. Under their ownership, the Liberty moved permanently to Brooklyn, substantially increased organizational investment and eventually won the franchise’s first championship. Every Liberty Home Arena The Liberty have played in several different venues during their history. Madison Square Garden — 1997–2010 For much of their first 14 seasons, the Liberty played at Madison Square Garden. MSG was an enormous advantage for the franchise in its early years. The Liberty drew some of the largest crowds in the WNBA and developed a passionate New York fan base. The 1997 Liberty averaged 13,270 fans per home game. Radio City Music Hall — 2004 The Liberty played a special home game at Radio City Music Hall in 2004. It was one of the most unusual home venues in WNBA history. Arthur Ashe Stadium — 2008 The Liberty also played a game at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens in 2008. Prudential Center — 2011–2013 After leaving Madison Square Garden, the Liberty played home games at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. This was an unusual period because the team remained known as New York Liberty while playing its home games outside New York City. Madison Square Garden — 2014–2017 The Liberty returned to Madison Square Garden for another period from 2014 through 2017. This gave the franchise another opportunity to play in the building that had been central to its identity since 1997. Westchester County Center — 2018–2019 The Liberty moved to the Westchester County Center in White Plains for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. The smaller building was a dramatic contrast to Madison Square Garden. The Liberty played their final full season there in 2019, although they also played selected games at Barclays Center. IMG Academy — 2020 The 2020 season was played entirely at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, because the WNBA conducted the season in a single-site environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Barclays Center — 2021–Present The Liberty moved permanently to Barclays Center in Brooklyn beginning in 2021. The move returned the franchise to a major NBA-quality arena and placed the team in the same building as the Brooklyn Nets. The Tsai ownership group was instrumental in making the move happen. The Great Early Liberty Teams The Liberty immediately became a contender. 1997: The First WNBA Finals The Liberty went 17–11 and reached the first WNBA Finals. They lost to the Houston Comets. Nevertheless, reaching the championship game in the league’s first season established the Liberty as one of the WNBA’s founding powers. : The Great Early Liberty Teams The 1999 Liberty may be the most memorable team in franchise history before the championship era. New York went 18–14 and won its first Eastern Conference championship. The Liberty faced the Houston Comets in the WNBA Finals. New York lost the series 2–1. But Game 2 produced one of the most famous moments in WNBA history. With the Liberty trailing Houston, Teresa Weatherspoon launched a half-court shot at the buzzer. It went in. The Liberty won the game and forced a deciding third game. The WNBA’s own history describes it as… Continue reading New York Liberty WNBA History
Portland Fire WNBA History
The Fire have one of the most unusual histories in the WNBA. The original Portland Fire entered the league om 2000, played three seasons, never reached the playoffs, and ceased operations after the 2002 season. Yet the franchise produced a Rookie of the Year, developed several players who became important WNBA contributors, and finished its final season with a .500 record Then, 24 years after the original Fire disappeared, Portland returned to the WNBA. The new Portland Fire began play in 2026, bringing professional women’s basketball back to the Rose City under new ownership and with a new roster, coaching staff and organizational structure. The history of the Fire is therefore really two stories: the original 2000–2002 team and the reborn Portland Fire beginning in 2026. The Original Portland Fire The WNBA awarded Portland an expansion franchise for the 2000 season as the league expanded from 12 to 16 teams. The original Fire were affiliated with the Portland Trail Blazers and played their home games at the Rose Garden, now known as the Moda Center. The team was operated by the Portland Trail Blazers organization, with Paul Allen serving as chairman and owner of the Trail Blazers. At the time, WNBA teams operated under the league’s NBA ownership structure. When the WNBA reorganized its ownership system after the 2002 season, Allen declined to assume ownership of the Fire. Without an ownership group in place, the team ceased operations. The WNBA itself records that the Portland Trail Blazers organization elected not to assume ownership of the Fire in December 2002. This is an important part of the Fire story because the team’s disappearance was not the result of a championship drought or a dramatic collapse on the court. In fact, the Fire were improving when they disappeared. Portland Fire Owners Original Fire: 2000–2002 The principal ownership connection was: Paul Allen / Portland Trail Blazers organization The Fire were operated under the WNBA’s NBA-affiliated ownership model during their three seasons. Paul Allen was the chairman associated with the franchise. After the 2002 season, the Trail Blazers organization declined to take ownership of the team, and the Fire ceased operations. New Portland Fire: 2026–present Portland received a new WNBA expansion franchise on September 18, 2024. The new team is owned and operated by RAJ Sports, led by siblings Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal. This is a completely new ownership group and franchise operation, although the team deliberately revived the Portland Fire name and honors the history of the original club. Home Stadiums The original Fire had one home arena. Rose Garden — 2000–2002 The original Portland Fire played at the Rose Garden, which opened in 1995. The Rose Garden was later renamed the Moda Center in 2013. The arena was therefore the home of the original Fire and is also the home of the revived Fire. Moda Center — 2026–present The new Portland Fire returned to the same building, now called the Moda Center. The City of Portland lists the Moda Center as a primary home of both the Portland Trail Blazers and Portland Fire. That gives the Fire an unusual connection between generations: the same building has hosted Portland’s WNBA team in both eras. The Three Seasons of the Original Fire. The original Fire finished: Season Record Western Conference Finish 2000 10–22 7th 2001 11–21 7th 2002 16–16 5th The overall record was 37–59. The team never made the playoffs. But the final season showed what the Fire might have become had the franchise continued. The 2002 team went 16–16 and finished fifth in the Western Conference. It was the best record in the original franchise’s short history. Unfortunately, that improvement came at exactly the wrong time. The team folded after the season. The Fire’s Coaches One of the most unusual facts about the original franchise is that it had only one head coach. Linda Hargrove — 2000–2002 Hargrove coached all three seasons and also served as general manager. Her records were: 2000: 10–22 2001: 11–21 2002: 16–16 Her overall regular-season record was 37–59. Although Hargrove never had the opportunity to coach the Fire into the playoffs, the 2002 season suggested that her team was finally becoming competitive. Alex Sarama — 2026–present The revived Portland Fire hired Alex Sarama as its first head coach. The new Fire entered the WNBA in 2026 as an expansion team. The organization also brought in former WNBA star Sylvia Fowles as an assistant coach, creating an interesting historical connection because Fowles is part of a new generation of WNBA legends helping establish Portland’s second-era franchise. The Fire’s Award Winners The original Fire had one major WNBA individual award winner. Jackie Stiles — 2001 Rookie of the Year Portland selected Jackie Stiles with the fourth overall pick in the 2001 WNBA Draft. She immediately became the face of the franchise. Stiles averaged 14.9 points per game, started all 32 games and led Portland in scoring. She received 32 of 60 votes for Rookie of the Year, defeating Seattle’s No. 1 overall pick Lauren Jackson, who received 20 votes. Stiles also shot 43.1 percent from three-point range, an outstanding percentage for a rookie in that era. Other major awards The original Fire had: WNBA MVP: Jackie Stiles, 2001 WNBA MVP: None Defensive Player of the Year: None Coach of the Year: None WNBA Finals MVP: None Sixth Player of the Year: None The franchise never had an MVP winner. WNBA MVP Winners Who Played for the Fire There is an important distinction here. No player won the WNBA MVP award while playing for the Portland Fire. The original Fire lasted only three seasons, and none of its players received the league’s regular-season MVP award. That makes Jackie Stiles’ 2001 Rookie of the Year award even more important to the franchise’s individual-award history. The Best Portland Fire Draft 2001 — The Jackie Stiles Draft The 2001 draft was easily the most important draft in original Fire history. Portland selected: 1st round, No. 4 — Jackie Stiles… Continue reading Portland Fire WNBA History
Las Vegas Aces History: From the Utah Starzz to a WNBA Dynasty
The Las Vegas Aces have one of the most unusual histories in professional basketball. Although the Aces did not arrive in Las Vegas until 2018, the franchise itself dates to the very first season of the WNBA in 1997. The organization began as the Utah Starzz, moved to San Antonio in 2003 and became the San Antonio Silver Stars, later shortened to the San Antonio Stars. In 2018, the franchise moved to Las Vegas and became the Aces. The move to Nevada transformed the franchise. After several decades of searching for sustained success, the Aces developed into one of the WNBA’s premier organizations, winning championships in 2022, 2023 and 2025. The 2022 championship was especially historic because it was the first major professional sports championship won by a team representing the state of Nevada. At the center of the modern Aces has been A’ja Wilson, who became the first player in WNBA history to win four regular-season MVP awards and has played a central role in all three Las Vegas championships. The Beginning: Utah Starzz, 1997-2002 The franchise was one of the WNBA’s original eight teams, beginning play in 1997 as the Utah Starzz. The original owner was Utah businessman Larry H. Miller, who also owned the NBA’s Utah Jazz. The Starzz played their home games in Salt Lake City, Utah The Jazz. struggled during their first several seasons, but eventually became a playoff team. The franchise’s first major draft success came in 1998 when Utah selected Margo Dydek with the No. 1 overall pick. At 7-foot-2, Dydek became the tallest player in WNBA history. The Starzz finally reached the playoffs in 2001. In 2002, they won their first playoff series, defeating the Houston Comets before losing to the eventual champion Los Angeles Sparks in the Western Conference Finals. The San Antonio Years, 2003-2017 After the 2002 season, the franchise moved to San Antonio and became the San Antonio Silver Stars. The team was owned by Spurs Sports & Entertainment, the organization associated with the San Antonio Spurs. The franchise later shortened its name to the San Antonio Stars in 2014. San Antonio produced some of the most important players in franchise history, including: Becky Hammon, Sophia Young, Kayla McBride, Danile Robinson, Margo Dydek, Kelsey Plum, Moriah Jefferson, Dearica Hamby, Danile Robinson, Margo Dydek, Kelsey Plum, Moriah Jefferson, Dearica Hamby The high point of the San Antonio era came in 2008, when the Silver Stars finished 24-10, the best record in the WNBA, and reached the WNBA Finals. They ultimately lost to the Detroit Shock. Becky Hammon became the face of the franchise during this period. She was a multiple-time All-Star and All-WNBA selection and eventually had her No. 25 retired by the organization. The Las Vegas Move In October 2017, the WNBA announced that MGM Resorts International had purchased the San Antonio Stars and would move the franchise to Las Vegas. The organization was renamed the Las Vegas Aces, and Bill Laimbeer became president of basketball operations and head coach. The Aces immediately received a major opportunity. They won the 2018 WNBA Draft Lottery and selected A’ja Wilson No. 1 overall. Wilson averaged 20.7 points and 8.0 rebounds as a rookie and won the 2018 WNBA Rookie of the Year Award. The following year, Las Vegas won the draft lottery again and selected Jackie Young No. 1 overall, giving the franchise three consecutive No. 1 overall selections dating back to the San Antonio era. That decision became one of the foundations of the championship team. Aces Ownership History Because this is a franchise history rather than simply a Las Vegas history, the ownership timeline includes the organization’s previous cities. Years Owner 1997-2002 Larry H. Miller — Utah Starzz 2003-2017 Spurs Sports & Entertainment / Peter Holt ownership — San Antonio Silver Stars/Stars 2017-2021 MGM Resorts International — San Antonio Stars/Las Vegas Aces 2021-present Mark Davis — Las Vegas Aces MGM purchased the franchise in 2017 and moved it to Las Vegas. Mark Davis, owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, purchased the Aces in 2021, with the transaction approved by the WNBA and NBA in February 2021. Davis’s ownership coincided with the beginning of the franchise’s championship era. Home Arenas Through the Years The Aces franchise has played in several different buildings. Utah Starzz Delta Center — Salt Lake City, Utah The Starzz played their home games in the same arena that housed the Utah Jazz. San Antonio Silver Stars/Stars AT&T Center — San Antonio, Texas The team played most of its San Antonio history at the arena that was also home to the Spurs. Freman Coliseum — San Antonio, Texas The Stars temporarily played their 2015 home games at Freeman Coliseum while renovations were taking place at AT&T Center. Las Vegas Aces Mandalay Bay Events Center — 2018-2021 The Aces began their Las Vegas existence playing at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Michelob ULTRA Arena — 2021-present The building was renamed Michelob ULTRA Arena in 2021. It remains the home of the Aces and is located at Mandalay Bay. The arena has a capacity of approximately 12,000 for basketball. The Aces have developed an especially strong home-court following in Las Vegas, including a long series of sellouts in recent seasons. Major Award Winners as Members of the Aces The modern Aces have produced an extraordinary collection of individual award winners. A’ja Wilson Wilson has won: 2018 Rookie of the Year 2020 MVP 2022 MVP 2022 Defensive Player of the Year 2023 Defensive Player of the Year 2023… Continue reading Las Vegas Aces History: From the Utah Starzz to a WNBA Dynasty
