Established
2000
City
Miami
League History
2000 – 2002 / Women’s National Basketball Association
Team History
2000 – 2002 / Miami Sol
Nickname
Sol – The Miami Sol is a beloved WNBA team that has existed since 2000. The name of this team was chosen as a tribute to the city of Miami and its vibrant culture. But many fans don’t know that there’s an interesting story behind how they got their nickname!
When it came time for the franchise to select its name, several options were put forward by management, including “Sunsets,” “Stars,” and even “Heat Wave.” However, none of these seemed quite right for such an iconic city like Miami. So instead, they decided on something more unique: "Sol."
This choice was inspired by the Spanish language (the word sol means sun in Spanish) and Cuban culture (the term El Sol de la Florida translates to The Sun of Florida). It also fits perfectly with one other thing about Miami – sunshine! With over 300 days per year filled with the sun in South Florida, it makes sense why this would be such a fitting nickname for their basketball team!
Not only does this nickname pay homage to their home state, but it also serves as a reminder that sports can bring people together no matter where you come from or what language you speak - just like how everyone cheers on the same side when watching games at American Airlines Arena in downtown Miami or any other venue across America where teams play under different names but still unite us all through our love for the sport.
So next time you're cheering on your favorite WNBA squad, remember not only are they playing hard out there -but every time someone says 'Go SOL,' we should all take pride in knowing we have our little piece of Sunshine here in sunny South Beach too!
Championship
WNBA Championships 0
Arena
2000 – 2002 / American Airlines Arena
Owner
2000 – 2002 / Heat Group
- 2000
- 2002
-
Sol Team Creation
The Sol shined into Earth as an expansion team in 2000. In their debut, the team struggled, but bounced back and made the playoffs with a 17-15 record, clinching the 2nd seed. In their playoff debut, the Miami Sol became the first expansion team in WNBA history to reach the playoffs in their first year and sweep their first team, ... -
Sol Two Years and Done
Citing the inability to raise enough funds to continue operation under the WNBA’s new restructuring agreement, the organization ceased operations. The team finished with a franchise-record of 48 wins and 48 losses. The other Florida team, the Orlando Miracle, ceased operations after the 2002 season and was relocated to Connecticut as the Connecticut Sun, adopting a nickname and logo very ...
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History of the Sol
The Miami Sol was a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team that played in the league from 2000 to 2002. The Sol was one of the original eight teams established when the WNBA launched in 1997 and was based in Miami, Florida. During their three-year tenure, they compiled an impressive record with two playoff appearances and one Eastern Conference Championship title.
Led by Head Coach Ron Rothstein, the inaugural season for the Miami Sol began on June 10th, 2000, at home against Charlotte Sting. In front of over 13 thousand fans at American Airlines Arena, they defeated them 83-74, setting up a solid start to their first season as a franchise and finishing 20-14 overall, good enough for third place finish in the Eastern Conference standings earning them first-ever playoff berth where they eventually lost 2–1 series lead to New York Liberty ending their run prematurely despite having solid regular season performance led by point guard Sheri Sam who won a Most Improved Player award that year.
In the 2001/2002 campaign under new head coach Ron Williams, Miami Sol had even better results managing 25 wins which earned them a second consecutive playoffs appearance, but once again being eliminated this time around, falling short 1–2 series defeat against Washington Mystics, thus ending any further hopes for championship glory as financial problems arose leading ownership group selling off players rights before disbanding entire organization altogether after just 3 years existence leaving behind bittersweet memories among basketball fans across South Florida area.
Sports Fan Products
Retired Number
*Blue is this team’s history