The New York Liberty history showcases one of the original franchises that helped shape the league’s identity. Since 1997, New York Liberty WNBA has been home to legendary players and thrilling moments. With a passionate fan base and a tradition of excellence, the Liberty continue to be a central part of women’s basketball.
Established
1997
City
New York
League History
1997 – Present / Women’s National Basketball Association
Team History
1997 – Present / New York Liberty
Nickname
Liberty—The New York Liberty is one of the most iconic teams in the WNBA, and its nickname has an interesting origin story. The team was founded in 1997 as part of a new professional basketball league for women. When it came time to name its franchise, it looked to history for inspiration.
New York Liberty Origin
The Statue of Liberty is an enduring symbol of freedom and democracy that stands tall over New York City’s harbor, so it made perfect sense for them to adopt “Liberty” as their nickname! It also reflects the spirit with which this team plays: They are always looking forward, anchored by solid fundamentals and a commitment to excellence on both ends of the court.
In addition, “Liberty” speaks directly to fans who have longed for more representation from female athletes at all levels – especially within professional sports leagues like the NBA or NFL, where opportunities were limited until recently. As such, when you cheer on your favorite players wearing those classic blue-and-orange uniforms emblazoned with Lady Liberty herself - make sure you take some extra pride in knowing what this name truly represents: strength through unity!
Championship
WNBA Championships 1
2024
Arena
2020 - Present / Barclays Center
2018 – 2019 / Westchester County Center
1997–2010, 2014–2017 / Madison Square Garden
2011 – 2013 / Prudential Center
Owner
2020 - Present / Joe and Clara Tsai
2010 – 2019 / Madison Square Garden, Inc.
1997 – 2009 / Cablevision
- 1997
- 2010
- 2015
- 2023
- 2024
-
Liberty Team Creation
The New York Liberty was selected as one of the eight charter members of the WNBA on Oct. 30, 1996. The Liberty remains one of four original franchises to continue to compete in the league and is the only team in WNBA history to operate under the same ownership since the league’s inaugural season. -
Signing of Cappie Pondexter
The New York Liberty fared better in 2010, during Donovan’s first and only full season as head coach. Led by newly signed high scorer Cappie Pondexter (formerly of the Phoenix Mercury) and the 2010 Most Improved Player Award winner Leilani Mitchell, the team made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost to the Atlanta Dream. -
Liberty Hire Isiah Thomas
On May 5, 2015, Liberty hired Thomas as Team President overseeing all business and basketball operations of the franchise. Under Thomas’ leadership as team president and the coaching staff led by Bill Laimbeer as head coach, the Liberty finished first in the Eastern Conference during the 2015 season. -
Historic 32-Win Season and WNBA Finals after Two Decades
In 2023, the Liberty made several major transactions that turned them into immediate contenders. Over the ensuing season, the Liberty won a franchise-record 32 games and defeated the Las Vegas Aces in the Commissioner’s Cup in-season competition, with Jones securing MVP honors. The Liberty then took down the Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun in the WNBA playoffs to earn their ... -
The Liberty’s Impressive WNBA Playoff Track Record
The Liberty has qualified for the WNBA playoffs in nineteen of its twenty-eight years. The franchise has been home to many well-known players. The Liberty has three conference championships, and one WNBA championship. They have played in the WNBA Finals six times, defeating the Minnesota Lynx in 2024.
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
New York Liberty History
The New York Liberty history begins in 1997, when they became one of the original franchises of the WNBA. From the very first season, New York Liberty WNBA set out to be competitive in the league, with strong fan support in New York. Over the years, Liberty basketball has been defined by its star power, memorable Finals runs, and consistent playoff appearances.
The Liberty made their first Finals appearance in 1997, followed by further Finals trips in 1999, 2000, and 2002. During those early years, New York Liberty history was marked by near-misses at a championship but with stars like Teresa Weatherspoon, Rebecca Lobo, and Vickie Johnson pushing the team to the top. The Liberty didn’t win a WNBA title in those first eras, but they firmly established themselves as a team that could contend.
In subsequent decades, New York Liberty WNBA continued to build. Even when not making Finals, the organization kept a strong presence in the league through dynamic players, engaging coaching, and community support. In 2023, the Liberty returned to the Finals again under coach Sandy Brondello, showing how the New York Liberty history is one of perseverance and adaptation. Though they fell short to the Las Vegas Aces, their return to the Finals underscored the growth of Liberty basketball.
Finally, in 2024, the New York Liberty history reached its long-awaited milestone: the Liberty won their first WNBA Championship after 28 seasons. They defeated the Minnesota Lynx 3-2 in the Finals. This victory cemented the legacy of New York Liberty WNBA, a franchise that had been so many times at the edge of glory but always kept fighting.
Liberty Achievements
One of the most significant achievements in New York Liberty history is their 2024 WNBA Championship win. Before that, the Liberty had appeared in the Finals five times (1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2023) without winning. Their 2024 victory marked their first title in franchise history, fulfilling the promise of decades of competitive Liberty basketball.
Beyond the championship, New York Liberty history includes three Eastern Conference Championships (1999, 2000, 2002) and six total Finals appearances. Liberty players like Tina Charles, Cappie Pondexter, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, and others have made key contributions, elevating New York Liberty WNBA into one of the league’s most respected franchises. The combination of player performance, coaching, and community involvement has made Liberty basketball not just successful on the court but influential off the court as well.
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Retired Number
*Blue is this team’s history
