Established
1997
City
Sacramento
League History
1997 – 2009 / Women’s National Basketball Association
Team History
1997 – 2009 / Sacramento Monarchs
Nickname
Monarchs – Sacramento's WNBA team, the Monarchs, has a long and storied history. The name was chosen to honor Sacramento’s role in California’s Gold Rush of 1848-1855. Sacramento became known as the “Queen City of the West” during this period due to its booming population and wealth from gold mining operations. This nickname has been carried forward for generations since then and is embodied by the Monarchs today.
The mascot for this team also pays homage to these same roots, with a monarch butterfly wearing a purple crown. This icon symbolizes royalty but reflects how butterflies are often seen as symbols of transformation or rebirth, which resonates strongly with many sports fans who come out each game day to support their favorite teams!
In addition to honoring its past through its name & mascot selection, it is worth noting that over recent years there have been several initiatives put into place by both local government officials & members within our organization which focus on providing more opportunities for young women athletes throughout our region – such as free clinics run by current players during offseason months or scholarships awarded annually at select high schools near us here in Sacramento County! These efforts embody what it means to say, “Go, Monarchs!"
Championship
WNBA Championships 1
2005
Arena
1997 – 2009 / ARCO Arena
Owner
1997 – 2009 / Maloof Sports & Entertainment
- 1997
- 2005
- 2009
-
Monarchs Team Creation
Eight teams were announced for the league’s inaugural season. The Eastern Conference consisted of the Charlotte Sting, Cleveland Rockers, Houston Comets, and New York Liberty while the Western Conference was comprised of the Los Angeles Sparks, Phoenix Mercury, Sacramento Monarchs, and Utah Starzz. -
2005 WNBA Champion – Monarchs
The 2005 WNBA Finals was the championship series of the 2005 WNBA season and the conclusion of the season’s playoffs. The Sacramento Monarchs, top-seeded champions of the Western Conference, defeated the Connecticut Sun, top-seeded champions of the Eastern Conference, three games to one in a best-of-five series. This was Sacramento’s first title. The Monarchs made their first appearance in the ... -
Monarchs Shut Down
It was revealed on November 20, 2009, that the Maloof family would no longer operate the Monarchs. The league attempted to re-locate the Monarchs to the San Francisco Bay area, but on December 8, 2009, it was announced that new ownership could not be found and a dispersal draft would be held on December 14, 2009. As of August 2016, ...
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.
History of the Monarchs
The Sacramento Monarchs were a professional basketball team that competed in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) from 1997 to 2009. The Monarchs won over their fans with an impressive history of success and championship titles, making them one of the most beloved teams in the WNBA.
The Monarchs began playing during the 1997 season as an expansion team and quickly became a powerhouse within the league. During their 12-year run, they made seven playoff appearances and won two Western Conference Championships and one WNBA Championship title in 2005 against Connecticut Sun. This victory was lovely for Sacramento fans who had been cheering on their home team since day one; it was also notable because it marked only the second time that any franchise had ever repeated itself at winning consecutive conference titles (the first being Los Angeles Sparks).
Though they may no longer be playing today, Sacramento Monarch’s legacy lives on through its devoted fan base, which continues to celebrate its past successes every year at events such as “Monarch Madness” or “Sacramento Pride Day." Even though this iconic franchise is gone now, many fondly remember how much excitement these talented ladies brought to basketball courts around California—and beyond!
Sports Fan Products
Retired Number
6 / Ruthie Bolton
GM / Jerry Reynolds
*Blue is this team’s history