The Women’s National Basketball Association is the premier women’s professional basketball league in North America and one of two women’s pro leagues to be valued at more than $1B. Formed in 1996 with significant financial backing from the NBA, the WNBA expanded through the 1990s but struggled through the 2000s. In recent years, the league has exploded, thanks to young standouts like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
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Women’s basketball began in 1892, less than a year after the sport’s invention, but restrictive clothing and societal norms posed early challenges. Senda Berenson modified rules to make the game more “suitable,” limiting dribbling and court movement. By 1971, women began playing with rules similar to men’s, and Title IX in 1972 provided federal funding, opening doors for future athletes.
During the 2021 season, the WNBA celebrated its 25th anniversary, marking North America's longest-running women’s pro league. This ESPN interactive highlights 25 significant "firsts" and milestones that defined the WNBA's 25-year history.
Many teams share markets with an NBA team, and some share arenas; however, seven are independently owned. The WNBA will expand into Canada in 2026.
In the late 1800s, college physical education programs were used to prepare post-Victorian Era women for the workforce. In 1890, Smith College built one of the country's largest and most well-equipped gyms and hired Senda Berenson to run its activities, which she did by revising basketball's rules so women could play while still meeting societal expectations.
When Senda Berenson tried to study piano at school, she realized she was too frail. In 1890, she dropped piano and enrolled in the Boston Normal School of Gymnastics to increase her strength, which led her to a career in physical education.
Formed in 1936, the barnstorming team played more than 200 games a year around the country. Much like the Harlem Globetrotters, the Red Heads combined basketball and comedy.
When Title IX was passed in 1972, it addressed gender discrimination in education. Although its expected impact on sports was minimal, it ended up being one of the most significant laws in women’s sports history.
In 1974, Ann Meyers Drysdale earned a full ride to play basketball at UCLA. It was historic, but only the beginning of her pioneering life, which included a Silver Medal at the 1976 Summer Games and a contract with an NBA team in 1979.
With stars like Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, and Rebecca Lobo, the 1996 US Women’s Basketball Team is considered one of the greatest women’s basketball teams ever assembled. They went 52-0 in pre-Olympic competition and 8-0 during their gold medal run.
The 1996 US Women’s Basketball Team went 60-0 on their gold medal run and is considered one of the greatest basketball teams ever assembled. The ESPN documentary “30 for 30: Dream On” examines the team’s 14-month journey, which changed the landscape of women’s sports. WNYC’s Alison Stewart interviews Director Kristen Lappas and Dream Team member Carla McGhee about their experience.
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