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
Tag: Minnesota Lynx
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
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
Indiana Fever: A Complete History of One of the WNBA’s Most Resilient Franchises
The Indiana Fever entered the WNBA in 2000 as an expansion franchise, becoming one of the league’s most recognizable teams. From the championship years built around Tamika Catchings to the remarkable rise of Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark, the Fever have gone through several distinct eras. As of the 2026 season, Indiana has won one WNBA championship, reached the WNBA Finals three times, captured three Eastern Conference championships, and won the 2025 Commissioner’s Cup. The Beginning: 2000 The Fever were created as an expansion franchise to play in Indianapolis alongside the Indiana Pacers. The organization was controlled by Herb Simon, who remains the team’s principal owner. Melvin Simon, Herb’s brother and fellow Pacers owner, was also listed as a Fever owner during the franchise’s early years until his death in 2009. The team began play in 2000 under head coach Anne Donovan, a future Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer. The inaugural Fever team went 9–23. Fever ownership Herb Simon — 2000–present Melvin Simon — 2000–2009, co-owner during the early years The Fever have remained part of the Simon/Pacers Sports & Entertainment ownership structure throughout their history. Home Courts Through the Years The Fever have essentially had one permanent basketball home, although the building has carried several names. 2000–2011: Conseco Fieldhouse The Fever began playing at the downtown Indianapolis arena that opened in 1999. 2011–2021: Bankers Life Fieldhouse The arena was renamed Bankers Life Fieldhouse in 2011. 2021–present: Gainbridge Fieldhouse The building became Gainbridge Fieldhouse in 2021. The Fever played their first four home games of the 2021 season at Bankers Life Fieldhouse before moving the remainder of their home schedule to Indiana Farmers Coliseum. The 2020 season was played at IMG Academy in Florida because of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, historically: Conseco Fieldhouse → Bankers Life Fieldhouse → Gainbridge Fieldhouse The arena itself has been the Fever’s Indianapolis home since the franchise began. The Coaches The Fever have had nine head coaches through the 2026 season: Coach Years Anne Donovan 2000 Nell Fortner 2001–2003 Brian Winters 2004–2007 Lin Dunn 2008–2014 Stephanie White 2015–2016 Pokey Chatman 2017–2019 Marianne Stanley 2020–2022 Carlos Knox 2022 Christie Sides 2023–2024 Stephanie White 2025–present Lin Dunn stands out historically because she coached Indiana to its first championship in 2012 and finished her Fever tenure with a 135–103 regular-season record and a 23–18 playoff record. Stephanie White is also important to Fever history. She coached Indiana to the 2015 WNBA Finals and later returned as head coach in 2025. Most notable coaches Lin Dunn — The championship coach and architect of the Fever’s great 2000s/early-2010s teams. Stephanie White — Led the Fever to the 2015 Finals and later returned to lead the franchise into its current era. Brian Winters — Helped transform Indiana from an expansion team into a legitimate Eastern Conference contender. The Tamika Catchings Era If one player can be identified with the first two decades of Fever basketball, it is Tamika Catchings. Indiana selected Catchings with the third overall pick in the 2001 WNBA Draft. She went on to spend her entire 14-year WNBA career with Indiana. Catchings won: 2002 WNBA Rookie of the Year 2011 WNBA MVP 2012 WNBA Finals MVP Five Defensive Player of the Year awards 11 WNBA All-Star selections 12 All-WNBA selections 2012 WNBA championship Her five Defensive Player of the Year awards came in 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2012. She remains the Fever’s all-time leader in points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals according to the franchise’s current records. Fever Award Winners WNBA MVP The Fever have had one WNBA regular-season MVP: Tamika Catchings — 2011 Catchings became Indiana’s first MVP after leading the Fever to a 21–13 record and the Eastern Conference’s top seed. She averaged 15.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals. Rookie of the Year The Fever have produced three WNBA Rookie of the Year winners: Tamika Catchings — 2002 Aliyah Boston — 2023 Caitlin Clark — 2024 Boston was a unanimous selection, receiving all 60 votes in 2023. Clark followed her the next season, receiving 66 of 67 votes. That gave Indiana consecutive Rookie of the Year winners — a remarkable achievement made even more notable because both were No. 1 overall picks. Defensive Player of the Year Tamika Catchings — 2005 Tamika Catchings — 2006 Tamika Catchings — 2009 Tamika Catchings — 2010 Tamika Catchings — 2012 Five DPOY awards remain one of the defining accomplishments of Catchings’ career. Most Improved Player Fever players have also been recognized for sportsmanship: Tully Bevilaqua — 2007 Tamika Catchings — 2010 Tamika Catchings — 2013, shared Tamika Catchings — 2016 Catchings’ combination of competitiveness and sportsmanship became a major part of her reputation. All-Star Game MVP Erica Wheeler — 2019 One of the great individual moments in Fever history came when undrafted guard Erica Wheeler exploded for 25 points in the 2019 WNBA All-Star Game. She became the first undrafted player to win All-Star Game MVP. Fever players made an Impact Away from the Floor Fever players have also made an Impact Away from the Floor. The team’s recipients include: Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award Tamika Catchings — 2008 and 2016 Natalie Achonwa — 2020 Kelsey Mitchell — 2023 Mitchell became the third Fever player to receive the award. The Fever’s Championship 2012 — Indiana Fever The Fever’s greatest team accomplishment… Continue reading Indiana Fever: A Complete History of One of the WNBA’s Most Resilient Franchises
Atlanta Dream History:
The Atlanta Dream entered the WNBA in 2008 as an expansion franchise. Although the team has never won a WNBA championship, the Dream quickly established itself as one of the league’s most competitive organizations. Atlanta has reached the WNBA Finals three times, in 2010, 2011 and 2013, and has produced stars such as Angel McCoughtry, Sancho Lyttle, Tiffany Hayes and Rhyne Howard. The franchise has also become notable for its ownership history, including the arrival of former Dream player Renee Montgomery as an owner and executive in 2021. The Dream’s history can essentially be divided into several eras: the expansion years, the Angel McCoughtry championship runs, the rebuilding period, the Rhyne Howard era and the current resurgence. The Birth of the Atlanta Dream Atlanta was awarded a WNBA expansion franchise in 2007, with the team beginning play in 2008. The original owner was Atlanta businessman J. Ronald Terwilliger. The team unveiled the name Atlanta Dream, along with its logo and colors, in January 2008. The Dream immediately began building its roster through the expansion draft and the 2008 WNBA Draft. In the expansion draft, Atlanta selected players including: Betty Lenox, Katie Feenstra, Erika de Souza, and Kristin Hayes. The Dream also acquired players through trades, including Iziane Castro Marques and Ivory Latta. With the first pick of the 2008 WNBA Draft, Atlanta selected Sancho Lyttle, a decision that would become extremely important to the young franchise. Atlanta Dream Ownership History The Dream has had several ownership groups during its relatively short history. J. Ronald Terwilliger — 2008-2009 Terwilliger was the original owner who brought the WNBA to Atlanta. After the 2009 season, Terwilliger decided to relinquish his position as the team’s primary owner. Kathy Betty and Dream Too LLC — 2009-2011 Atlanta businesswoman Kathy Betty purchased the franchise in 2009 through Dream Too LLC. Betty became managing partner and initially was the group’s sole owner while looking for additional investors. In January 2011, Mary Brock and Kelly Loeffler joined Dream Too LLC, with Betty remaining managing partner at the time. Mary Brock and Kelly Loeffler — 2011-2021 Brock and Loeffler eventually became the principal owners of the franchise. Their ownership lasted approximately a decade and included the final portion of the Dream’s great early competitive era. During this period Atlanta reached the WNBA Finals in 2011 and 2013. The organization was ultimately sold in 2021. Larry Gottesdiener, Suzanne Abair and Renee Montgomery — 2021-Present In February 2021, the WNBA and NBA approved the sale of the Dream to an investment group led by Larry Gottesdiener. The group included: Larry Gottesdiener Suzanne Abair Renee Montgomery Montgomery’s involvement was particularly historic. She became the first former WNBA player to become both an owner and executive of a WNBA team. Montgomery had previously played for the Dream and had been part of the organization’s 2013 Finals team. The current Dream front office lists Gottesdiener as managing partner, Abair as partner and CEO, and Montgomery as partner and vice president. Home Arenas of the Atlanta Dream The Dream has played its home games in several Atlanta-area facilities. Philips Arena — 2008-2016 The Dream originally shared Philips Arena with the Atlanta Hawks. This was the home of the franchise during its first nine seasons, including all three of its early WNBA Finals appearances. The building later became State Farm Arena. McCamish Pavilion — 2017-2018 Renovations to the downtown arena forced the Dream to move to McCamish Pavilion at Georgia Tech. The Dream played there during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. The move was not necessarily ideal from a professional sports standpoint, but it produced one of the greatest seasons in franchise history. The 2018 Dream went 23-11, the second-best record in the WNBA, and won the Eastern Conference regular-season championship. State Farm Arena — 2019 The Dream returned downtown in 2019 to the newly renovated State Farm Arena, the renamed and renovated former Philips Arena. Gateway Center Arena — 2020-Present The Dream moved to Gateway Center Arena @ College Park beginning in 2020. The new facility gave the franchise a smaller, more intimate home and became the team’s principal home court. The Dream continues to list Gateway Center Arena as its home, although Atlanta has also scheduled selected games at State Farm Arena in the modern era. The Early Years The Dream struggled during its first season, finishing 4-30. But the rebuilding process was already producing important players. Sancho Lyttle became one of the franchise’s foundational players, while Atlanta continued adding veterans and young talent. Then came the draft that changed everything. 2009: Angel McCoughtry Arrives The Dream won the 2009 WNBA Draft Lottery, earning the first overall selection. With that pick, Atlanta selected Louisville star Angel McCoughtry. McCoughtry had been a three-time All-American at Louisville and entered the WNBA as one of the most highly regarded prospects in league history. She immediately justified the selection. McCoughtry won the 2009 WNBA Rookie of the Year Award. She also became the face of the franchise. Her career in Atlanta included: Six All-WNBA selections Seven All-Defensive selections Five All-Star selections Two WNBA scoring titles Two steals titles Three WNBA Finals appearances She remains the Dream’s all-time leader in points, assists and steals. The 2009 draft was therefore arguably the most important draft in franchise history. The 2010 Dream: First Trip to the… Continue reading Atlanta Dream History:
