WNBA (thing)

Professional women's basketball league.

Although women's pro basketball has been hugely successful in Europe and Brazil, the American public in the years before Title IX showed little or no interest in the sport. The WNBA and ABL (American Basketball League) started in 1997 and 1996 respectively. The WNBA was better financed and attracted better players and after the ABL folded, it became the only game in town. Though it is off to a good start, the WNBA has yet to turn a profit.

The WNBA consists of the following teams:

• Eastern Conference
  • Atlanta Dream
  • Chicago Sky
  • Connecticut Sun
  • Indiana Fever
  • New York Liberty
  • Washington Mystics
• Western Conference:
  • Los Angeles Sparks
  • Minnesota Lynx
  • Phoenix Mercury
  • San Antonio Silver Stars
  • Seattle Storm
  • Tulsa Shock

Several teams have folded or moved:

• Charlotte Sting (1997-2006, folded)
• Cleveland Rockers (1997-2003, folded)
• Detroit Shock (1998-2009, moved and became the Tulsa Shock)
• Houston Comets (1997-2008, folded)
• Miami Sol (2000-2002, folded)
• Orlando Miracle (1999-2002, moved and became the Connecticut Sun)
• Portland Fire (2000-2002, folded)
• Sacramento Monarchs (1997-2009, folded)
• Utah Starzz (1997-2002, moved and became the San Antonio Silver Stars)

http://www.wnba.com/