Got Questions? Discover NowWe Have Answers 1997 2001 2002 2016 Sparks Team Creation The WNBA began its first season on June 21, 1997 to little fanfare. The first WNBA game featured the New York Liberty facing the Los Angeles Sparks in Los Angeles. The game was televised nationally in the United States on the NBC television network. 2001 WNBA Championship The 2001 WNBA Championship was the championship series of the 2001 WNBA …