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: WNBA MVP
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
Chicago Sky: The History, Heroes and Legacy of Chicago’s WNBA Franchise
The Chicago Sky have traveled a remarkable road since becoming a WNBA expansion franchise in 2006. From their early years at the UIC Pavilion, through their seasons at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, and finally to their current home at Wintrust Arena, the Sky have developed from a new franchise searching for an identity into a WNBA championship organization. The Sky have produced some of the greatest players in women’s basketball, including Elena Delle Donne, Sylvia Fowles, and Candace Parker They have also developed stars such as Courtney Vandersloot, Kahleah Copper and others who helped establish Chicago as an important destination in women’s professional basketball. The defining moment came in 2021, when the Sky captured their first WNBA championship. The Birth of the Chicago Sky Chicago was awarded a WNBA expansion franchise in February 2005, with the team beginning play during the 2006 season. The Sky were unusual from the beginning because they were independently owned rather than operated by the NBA’s Chicago Bulls. Michael J. Alter was the lead investor in the group that brought professional women’s basketball back to Chicago. Margaret Stender became the franchise’s first employee and served as its founding president and CEO during its formative years. The name “Chicago Sky” was chosen to connect the franchise with Chicago’s famous skyline and architecture. The original identity featured sky blue and yellow, colors that became closely associated with the franchise. The team played its first season in 2006. The beginning was difficult. The inaugural Sky team won only five games, but the organization began building the foundation for a much more successful future. Chicago Sky Ownership Because the Sky began as an independently owned franchise, ownership has included a group of Chicago-area investors rather than a single traditional sports conglomerate. Michael J. Alter Michael J. Alter has been the principal owner and central figure in the franchise from its beginning. He led the investment group that established the Sky and remains principal owner today. Margaret Stender Margaret Stender was one of the original investors and served as the Sky’s founding president and CEO. The Sky’s current media guide continues to identify her as a minority owner. John W. Rogers Jr. John Rogers, founder of Ariel Investments, has been part of the Sky ownership group and is listed by the team as an owner. Harvey Alter Harvey Alter is also listed as an owner in the current Sky organization. Nadia Rawlinson Nadia Rawlinson joined the ownership group in 2023 and became co-owner and operating chairman. She remains in that position. Other Original Investors: The original ownership group was larger than the individuals normally identified as the team’s principal owners. Contemporary reporting has identified investors including Michelle Williams, Juanita Vanoy Jordan, Sue Wellington, Linda Friedman and Steven Rogers, among others. The complete original investor list was not publicly released. That is an important distinction: there is a difference between every original investor in the franchise and the individuals publicly identified as owners in the team’s official records. Every Arena the Chicago Sky Have Called Home The Sky have had three principal home arenas during their history. UIC Pavilion — 2006–2009 The UIC Pavilion was the Sky’s original home. The franchise played its inaugural season there in 2006 and remained at the University of Illinois Chicago facility through the 2009 season. This was where Chicago fans first watched the Sky become a WNBA franchise. Allstate Arena — 2010–2017 For the 2010 season, the Sky moved north to Allstate Arena in Rosemont. The move gave the Sky access to a much larger building, and the team remained there for eight seasons. The Sky reached the million-fan attendance milestone during their time at Allstate Arena. Wintrust Arena — 2018–Present The Sky returned to the city of Chicago in 2018 when they moved into Wintrust Arena at McCormick Square. The move was significant because the team once again had a permanent home inside Chicago proper. The Sky have played their home games at Wintrust Arena since 2018. Wintrust Arena also became the home court for the greatest achievement in franchise history: the 2021 WNBA championship season. The Early Years The Sky’s first several seasons were a period of building. The franchise went through several coaches and roster changes while attempting to establish itself. The early head coaches were Dave Cowens, Bo Overton and Steven Key. One of the first major building blocks arrived in the 2006 draft when Chicago selected Candice Dupree with the sixth overall pick. Another important early breakthrough came in 2007. Armintie Price Becomes Chicago’s First Rookie of the Year In the 2007 WNBA Draft, the Sky selected Armintie Price with the third overall pick. Price immediately made an impact. She became the 2007 WNBA Rookie of the Year, giving Chicago its first major individual league award. This was an important moment because the Sky were no longer simply an expansion franchise trying to survive. They were beginning to develop players capable of becoming major figures in the league. Elena Delle Donne Changes the Franchise The most important draft in Sky history came in 2013. Chicago selected Delaware star Elena Delle Donne with the second overall pick. She immediately became one of the WNBA’s most recognizable players. Delle Donne won the 2013 WNBA Rookie of the Year Award as a member of the Sky. Two years later she reached an even greater level. 2015 WNBA MVP — Elena Delle Donne In 2015, Elena Delle Donne became the first Chicago Sky player to win the WNBA Most Valuable Player Award. This is an especially important distinction because Delle Donne won the award as a Sky player, rather than receiving an MVP award for accomplishments with another franchise. Delle Donne’s time in Chicago established her as one of the greatest players in franchise… Continue reading Chicago Sky: The History, Heroes and Legacy of Chicago’s WNBA Franchise
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:
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
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
