A high angle picture players from the 1997 Los Angeles Sparks team in white letterman jackets with purple Sparks sleeves in a circle around Lisa Leslie who wears a yellow suit and is talking into a microphone.
Los Angeles Sparks and New York Liberty legends and alumni participate in the 30th anniversary of the Los Angeles Sparks and New York Liberty first game in 1997 at halftime at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on June 21, 2026. (Photo credit: William Navarro | Imagn Images)

The WNBA has reached a historic milestone as its 30th season is nearing the halfway mark. It all began in 1997 with eight teams; now there are 15 and counting. Half of those original eight teams remain: the New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury, Los Angeles Sparks and Las Vegas Aces (then the Utah Starzz).

The Aces have won three of the last four WNBA championships. They are led by generational talent A’ja Wilson and head coach Becky Hammon. Hammon’s career as both a player and coach spans nearly the entirety of the WNBA’s existence.


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Arie Graham joined The Next in May 2021 as the beat writer for the Dallas Wings.