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1997 CE Turn of the millennium Sports

The First WNBA Games Are Played

The WNBA played its first games on June 21, 1997.

Setting the scene

After the 1996 Olympic women's basketball team captivated American audiences, the NBA backed a professional women's league to give college stars a domestic stage beyond overseas contracts.

What happened

The WNBA played its first games on June 21, 1997, with eight teams; the New York Liberty and Los Angeles Sparks tipped off in a doubleheader that showcased Rebecca Lobo, Lisa Leslie, and Cynthia Cooper.

Why it still matters

The league became the longest-running major U.S. women's pro sports circuit and a pipeline for Olympic rosters. Memorable detail: the Liberty sold out Madison Square Garden for that inaugural season opener.

Background

The league gave post-college stars a U.S. pro stage.

Sources

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