WNBA Timeline

By uzairshaikh
  • WNBA Creation

    WNBA Creation

    The NBA Board of Governors approves the concept of a WNBA, thus leading to the creation of the league (Photo credit: Getty Images)
  • WNBA Gains Individual Team Ownership

    WNBA Gains Individual Team Ownership

    Thanks to a vote from the NBA Board of Governors, the WNBA is now allowed individual team ownership, which allows teams to be owned by non-NBA owners and and be in non-NBA markets (Photo Credit: Allsport)
  • Sheila Johnson Becomes First African-American Female Owner

    Sheila Johnson Becomes First African-American Female Owner

    Sheila Johnson, the co-founder of Black Entertainment Television, became the first African-American female WNBA owner by joining Lincoln Holdings LLC, which purchased the Washington Mystics team. (Photo Credit: NBAE/Getty Images
  • Anne Donovan Becomes the First Female WNBA Coach to Win 100 Games

    Anne Donovan Becomes the First Female WNBA Coach to Win 100 Games

    This accomplishment was a step in the right direction for the growth of the WNBA with a successful female coach. (Photo Credit: Icon Sportswire)
  • Six WNBA Players are Featured in the NBA Street Homecourt Video Game

    Six WNBA Players are Featured in the NBA Street Homecourt Video Game

    Sue Bird, Tamika Catchings, Lauren Jackson, Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, and Diana Taurasi are the first female athletes to be featured to go head to head with male athletes. (Photo Credit: Wikipedia)
  • ESPN Signs 10-Year, $120 million Media Rights Deal that Lasts Until 2022.

    ESPN Signs 10-Year, $120 million Media Rights Deal that Lasts Until 2022.

    This event was a step forward for the WNBA, as their media coverage was increased through this crucial deal. (Photo Credit: ESPN)
  • WNBA and #MeToo Movement

    WNBA and #MeToo Movement

    The #MeToo Movement, a social movement against sexual abuse and harassment gained traction with the WNBA. Years later, Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky spoke about how the movement had a significant impact on the WNBA's popularity (Photo Credit: Adobe Stock)
  • CBS Sports Network Signs a Multiyear Deal to Air 40 Games

    CBS Sports Network Signs a Multiyear Deal to Air 40 Games

    This was another step forward in the bid to increase WNBA viwership (Photo Credit: cbssports)
  • Black Lives Matter Movement and the WNBA

    Black Lives Matter Movement and the WNBA

    Following the death of George Floyd in May 2020, players from different teams supported the Black Lives Matter movement by wearing special uniforms honoring those killed by police brutality and racial violence. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
  • The WNBA All-Star Game Averaged 3.442 Million Viewers on ABC

    The WNBA All-Star Game Averaged 3.442 Million Viewers on ABC

    This set a record for the highest viewership for a WNBA All-Star Game, which surpassed the previous record that occurred in the 2003 All-Star Game. (Photo Credit: WNBA)