Celebrating three decades
The WNBA entered its 30th season with 15 franchises, a dramatic expansion from the eight teams that launched the league in 1997. Four of those original clubs — New York, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Las Vegas — still compete today, while the rest have evolved through relocations and rebranding. The league’s early attendance averaged 9,661 fans per game and stayed above 9,000 for the first six seasons, a trend that has recently rebounded with a 48% jump from 2023 to 2024, pushing the 2024 average to 9,807, the first time the figure has risen above 9,000 in more than two decades.
Championship history tells a story of dominant eras. The Houston Comets captured the first four titles from 1997 to 2000, the Detroit Shock powered the 2000s with three championships, and the Minnesota Lynx added four crowns in the 2010s led by Maya Moore. Most recently, the Las Vegas Aces have won three of the last four championships, underscoring the league’s competitive depth.
Star power and milestones
The modern era is defined by transcendent talent. Four‑time MVP A’ja Wilson, Defensive Player of the Year Becky Hammon, and championship‑winning Maya Moore have become household names, while veterans such as Elena Delle Donne, Tina Thompson, Sheryl Swoopes, Cynthia Cooper, Lisa Leslie, Rebecca Lobo, Tamika Catchings, Cappie Pondexter, Nneka Ogwumike, Sophia Young‑Malcolm, Cheryl Reeve, Teresa Weatherspoon, Val Ackerman, Kym Hampton, Deanna Nolan and others continue to shape the league’s legacy.
A new collective bargaining agreement
The 2026 collective bargaining agreement marks a watershed moment, as players ink contracts that surpass the million‑dollar threshold for the first time. Alongside these financial gains, the league has secured broadcast deals with USA Network and CBS, capitalizing on the momentum generated by record attendance and expanding media presence.
Looking ahead, the WNBA plans to grow to 18 teams by 2030, with new franchises slated for Portland, Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia. The upcoming relocation of the Connecticut Sun to Houston in 2027 and the planned expansion into additional markets signal a continued commitment to broadening the league’s footprint across the United States.