WNBA Overview

From Hoopedia

The Women's National Basketball Association

On April 24, 1996, women’s basketball announced “We Got Next” as the NBA Board of Governors approved the concept of a Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) to begin play in June 1997. Rebecca Lobo and Sheryl Swoopes were the first players to sign to the league, followed soon thereafter by Lisa Leslie and Ruthie Bolton-Holifield. Since then, the WNBA has become the most successful women’s professional sports league in history and has set new standards for what women athletes, and women in general, can achieve.

As a diverse and global entity, the WNBA is the destination for the world’s most talented female athletes. With 14 teams, the league includes international players from all over the world. WNBA programming reaches a global audience in over 190 countries through more than 50 telecasters in over 30 languages. In 2006, the WNBA will celebrate its historic 10th anniversary season. The league’s 34-game regular season schedule runs from May to September.

Through the WNBA Cares initiative, the league is deeply committed to creating programs that improve the quality of life for all people. WNBA Cares places a special emphasis on promoting a healthy lifestyle and positive body image, breast health awareness, youth and family development, and education. WNBA teams, players and staff donate countless dollars and hours each year through league programs including WNBA Be Smart – Be Fit- Be Yourself, Read to Achieve and Jr. WNBA.

In 2005, Donna Orender was appointed President of the WNBA to succeed Val Ackerman. Orender came to the WNBA after a 17-year association with the PGA Tour, most recently as Senior Vice President overseeing television and production, advertising and brand management and being responsible for strategy across all business lines and media. She was an All-American collegiate basketball player and was an All-Star professional basketball player in a prior women’s league.