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
Tag: Washington Mystics
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,
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
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
