Table of Contents
When did the WNBA come out?
June 1997
On April 24, 1996, women’s basketball announced “We Got Next” as the NBA Board of Governors approved the concept of a Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) to begin play in June 1997. Since then, the WNBA has been the home for the best women’s basketball talent in the world.
When was WNBA first televised?
June 21, 1997
On the heels of a much-publicized gold medal run by the 1996 USA Basketball Women’s National Team at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, the WNBA began its first season on June 21, 1997 to little fanfare.
How was WNBA created?
The WNBA was created by the National Basketball Association (NBA) Board of Governors as a women’s analogue to the NBA. The first four WNBA titles were won by the Houston Comets, with teams that featured two of the league’s first superstars in Cynthia Cooper and Sheryl Swoopes.
Who was the first WNBA player?
Sheryl Denise Swoopes
Sheryl Swoopes. Sheryl Denise Swoopes (born March 25, 1971) is an American former professional basketball player. She was the first player to be signed in the WNBA, is a three-time WNBA MVP, and was named one of the league’s Top 15 Players of All Time at the 2011 WNBA All-Star Game.
Who is the best WNBA player of all time?
Diana Taurasi is the best offensive player in WNBA history (and No. 1 badass). But Catchings is the most complete basketball player I have ever seen. She remains the only player in the league to ever finish a season in the top 10 in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks — and do it twice.
Who was the first woman drafted in WNBA?
Things were very different for Tina Thompson, the first No. 1 college draft pick in the WNBA. She played college basketball as a way to reduce the cost of her undergraduate degree en route to law school.
Who is the greatest WNBA player ever?
Diana Taurasi Her first All-WNBA honor was in 2004, her rookie season. Her most recent came 16 years later in 2020. Taurasi has the highest offensive win share total, by orders of magnitude. She tops the list with 60.49; in second is Sue Bird, with 42.06.
What is the maximum WNBA salary?
$221,450
While the top NBA contracts exceed $40 million for the usual 82-game regular season — or around $487,800 per game — just seven WNBA players will make the league’s “supermax” salary of $221,450. That’s an average of $6,920 for one game during the 32-game 2021 season regular season.
Who is the goat in WNBA?
1. Tamika Catchings (3.3 championships added) The conclusion here is the same as the one I reached last year, when Catchings was selected for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Nobody has had a better WNBA career. Catchings is No.
When was the first WNBA game on TV?
On opening day for the 2008 season (May 17), ABC broadcast the Los Angeles Sparks and Phoenix Mercury matchup. The game received a little over 1 million viewers. Average viewership for games broadcast on national television (ABC and ESPN2) was 100 (up from 0 in 2007).
How often does the WNBA play on ESPN?
Under the agreement, there will be up to 30 games a year televised on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2 each season, including the Finals. Although the financial terms of the deal were not stated by ESPN or the WNBA, Sports Business Daily reported that sources said the deal was worth $12 million a year.
Who was the first president of the WNBA?
After the 2003 season, the Cleveland Rockers, one of the league’s original eight teams, folded because the owners were unwilling to continue operating the franchise. Val Ackerman, the first WNBA president, resigned effective February 1, 2005, citing the desire to spend more time with her family.
Are there any women’s basketball games on ESPN?
The WNBA on ESPN refers to the presentation of Women’s National Basketball Association games on the ESPN family of networks. Under the title of WNBA Tuesday, games are broadcast throughout the WNBA season on Tuesday nights on ESPN2 .