WNBA Team Evolution

Written By Heather Simmons

Here is a comprehensive look at the history of the WNBA teams showing the league's evolution.

Inaugural Season: 1997

The WNBA's inaugural season tipped off on June 21, 1997, with a game between the New York Liberty and the Los Angeles Sparks at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. The Liberty defeated the Sparks 67-57.

The eight founding franchises were:

  • Charlotte Sting: One of the original eight teams. After the 2006 season, the team ceased operations. A dispersal draft was held on January 8, 2007. Key players selected included Monique Currie (Chicago Sky) and Tangela Smith (Minnesota Lynx).

  • Cleveland Rockers: An original franchise that played from 1997 to 2003. The team folded after the 2003 season. A dispersal draft was held on January 6, 2004, where prominent players like Penny Taylor (Phoenix Mercury), Chasity Melvin (Washington Mystics), and Betty Lennox (Seattle Storm) were selected by other teams.

  • Houston Comets: A dominant force in the early years of the league, winning the first four WNBA championships (1997-2000). The team folded after the 2008 season, and a dispersal draft was held.

  • Los Angeles Sparks: One of the original and still active franchises. They have won three WNBA championships (2001, 2002, 2016).

  • New York Liberty: An original franchise and a consistent presence in the league. They reached the WNBA Finals in the inaugural season. The Liberty are still an active franchise.

  • Phoenix Mercury: One of the original eight teams and still active. They have won three WNBA championships (2007, 2009, 2014).

  • Sacramento Monarchs: An original franchise that won the WNBA championship in 2005. The team folded after the 2009 season. A dispersal draft took place on December 14, 2009, with players like Nicole Powell (New York Liberty) and Rebekkah Brunson (Minnesota Lynx) finding new teams.

  • Utah Starzz: An original franchise that relocated to San Antonio in 2003, becoming the San Antonio Silver Stars. The team was later sold and moved to Las Vegas in 2018, rebranding as the Las Vegas Aces. The Aces have become a league powerhouse, winning back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023.

Expansion Teams

1998 Season

  • Detroit Shock: The Shock joined the league and went on to win three WNBA championships (2003, 2006, 2008). The franchise relocated to Tulsa in 2010, becoming the Tulsa Shock, and then moved to Arlington, Texas, in 2016 to become the Dallas Wings.

  • Washington Mystics: An expansion team in 1998 that is still active. They won their first WNBA championship in 2019.

1999 Season

  • Orlando Miracle: The Miracle played in Orlando for four seasons before the franchise was sold and moved to Uncasville, Connecticut, for the 2003 season, where they became the Connecticut Sun. The Sun have been a consistently competitive team.

  • Minnesota Lynx: An expansion team in 1999, the Lynx have built a dynasty with four WNBA championships (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017).

2000 Season

  • Indiana Fever: The Fever joined the league in 2000 and have been a steady franchise, winning the WNBA championship in 2012.

  • Miami Sol: The Sol played for three seasons (2000-2002) before folding due to financial reasons. A dispersal draft of its players was held.

  • Portland Fire: The Fire also played for three seasons (2000-2002) before folding.

  • Seattle Storm: The Storm began play in 2000 and have become one of the league's most successful franchises with four WNBA championships (2004, 2010, 2018, 2020).

2005 Season

  • Chicago Sky: The Sky joined the league as an expansion team and won their first WNBA championship in 2021.

2008 Season

  • Atlanta Dream: The Dream began play in 2008 and quickly found success, reaching the WNBA Finals three times in their first five seasons (2010, 2011, 2013).

Heather Simmons
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