1. The WNBA was founded in 1996.
2. When the league first tipped off, there were eight teams total: Charlotte Sting, Cleveland Rockers, Houston Comets, New York Liberty, Los Angeles Sparks, Phoenix Mercury, Sacramento Monarchs and Utah Starzz.
As of the 2026 season, there are 15, with the addition of the Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Dallas Wings, Golden State Valkyries, Indiana Fever, Las Vegas Aces, Minnesota Lynx, Portland Fire, Seattle Storm, Toronto Tempo and Washington Mystics.
However, there have been many pivots in the league’s three decades as the Starzz were relocated to San Antonio and then Las Vegas while the Sting, Rockers, Monarchs and Rockets folded. But Tilman Fertitta purchased the Connecticut Sun with plans to rebrand them down in Texas.
3. At the ripe old age of 30, the WNBA is the oldest women’s professional sports league in North America.
