WNBA Basketball Teams (Complete List 2024)

The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) is a professional basketball league in the United States. It is the female counterpart to the NBA and represents the highest level of women’s basketball in the world. The WNBA was founded in 1996, with the inaugural season taking place in 1997. It was created by the NBA Board of Governors as a way to capitalize on the growing interest in women’s basketball.

The league consists of 12 teams divided into two conferences, the Eastern and Western Conferences. Teams are located across major cities in the United States.

WNBA Teams List

The WNBA teams compete annually in the WNBA season, which includes a regular season, playoffs, and the WNBA Finals. Here are all the 12 WNBA Teams:

Eastern Conference

1. Atlanta Dream – Based in Atlanta, Georgia.
2. Chicago Sky – Based in Chicago, Illinois.
3. Connecticut Sun – Based in Uncasville, Connecticut.
4. Indiana Fever – Based in Indianapolis, Indiana.
5. New York Liberty – Based in Brooklyn, New York.
6. Washington Mystics – Based in Washington, D.C.

Western Conference

1. Dallas Wings – Based in Arlington, Texas.
2. Las Vegas Aces – Based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
3. Los Angeles Sparks – Based in Los Angeles, California.
4. Minnesota Lynx – Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
5. Phoenix Mercury – Based in Phoenix, Arizona.
6. Seattle Storm – Based in Seattle, Washington.

WNBA Basketball Season Structure

The WNBA season is the period when WNBA teams play their games. It usually starts in May and ends in October. So, from May to October, teams play lots of basketball games, trying to win as many as they can to be the season’s champion.

• Regular Season: First, all the teams play a bunch of games against each other to see who’s the best. This part happens from May to around the end of August or early September.
• Playoffs: After the regular season, the best teams move on to the playoffs in September. This is a knockout stage, where if you lose a series of games, you’re out. It’s more intense because every game is super important.
• WNBA Finals: The last two teams standing after the playoffs go to the WNBA Finals in October. They play against each other in a series of games. The first team to win enough games (usually three out of five) becomes the champion of the whole season.

Best WNBA Players

The WNBA has had some really amazing basketball players who are famous all over the world. Women basketball top star players: Lisa Leslie, Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Maya Moore, and Candace Parker have played in the WNBA. They are the top players of basketball and have contributed significantly to the sport popular in many countries, not just the United States. These players have won lots of games and awards, and they inspire both kids and adults to love and play basketball.

Over the years, the WNBA has seen growth in terms of popularity, television viewership, and commercial success. Initiatives to increase fan engagement, such as streaming games online and partnerships with major broadcasters, have helped to broaden its audience.

WNBA Basketball Teams (Complete List 2024) – FAQs

How many teams are there in Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA)?

The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) consists of 12 teams. These teams are divided evenly into two conferences: the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference.

Does Miami have a WNBA team?

The SOL clinches a playoff spot with a 72-61 win over the Phoenix Mercury at the AmericanAirlines Arena. Miami becomes the only expansion team from 2000 to qualify for the playoffs. The SOL completes its second regular season with a 20-12 record.

Is WNBA affiliated with NBA?

The National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) has signed on as a Junior (Jr.) NBA Community Partner to help focus on attracting more youth players to the game in conjunction with Junior NBA events in the USA and Canada. This partnership will also provide additional resources to NWBA youth programme.

What WNBA team is in California?

The Los Angeles Sparks are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Sparks compete in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a member club of the league’s Western Conference.

Who is the highest paid WNBA player?

During the 2023 season, Erica Wheeler of the Indiana Fever had the highest salary among players in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) with over 242 thousand U.S. dollars. In second place was Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale with 234.94 thousand U.S. dollars.