Everyone will now be aware of some of the stars of Women’s basketball. Be it Lisa Leslie, Rebecca Lobo, Dawn Staley, or Sheryl Swoopes. But very few might know they were the reason for the WNBA’s existence. The 1996 Summer Olympics started a new wave of fan following for women’s basketball. The undefeated team, winning its third gold medal for its country, was widely popular, and the NBA considered starting a league for women to meet fan demands.
The NBA Board of Governors officially approved the WNBA on April 24, 1996. The idea came into existence on paper in 1997, marking a historic day for the league. The eight teams, owned and operated by the NBA, played in the inaugural season on June 21, 1997.
First Match And First Basket In WNBA
Eight teams forming a league were selected strategically to cover the major basketball fan bases in the USA. Similar to the NBA, they were divided into two conferences. The Western Conference included the Los Angeles Sparks, Phoenix Mercury, Sacramento Monarchs, and Utah Starzz. On the East side, the ‘W’ had Charlotte Sting, Cleveland Rockers, Houston Comets, and New York Liberty.
The first game had to be a mega showdown, appealing to the fans. Two of the biggest franchises in the NBA at the time were Los Angeles and New York, and their women’s teams got a chance to play the first game. LA hosted the match at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, and the Sparks vs. Liberty opening game drew a 14,284-person crowd. The game was aired live nationally on NBC.
Contrary to popular belief, the girls been balling!
— BET (@BET) June 21, 2025
On this day in 1997, the WNBA began its first season. The inaugural WNBA game featured the New York Liberty facing the Los Angeles Sparks in Los Angeles. The Liberty defeated the Sparks 67–57.
Over 14,284 viewed this historic… pic.twitter.com/Je4aytprfr
Penny Toler of the Los Angeles Sparks scored the first basket during the game. Jamila Wideman got the first assist of the league, as her pass to Toner at the baseline resulted in the historic basket. The memorable moment marked the start of the bright future of the women’s league. The Washington-born guard continued to dazzle in the game, scoring 15 points and providing four assists for the Sparks. She even scored the first free throw in the WNBA.
But it was New York’s night with Rebecca Lobo leading the Liberty team with 16 points, three assists, six rebounds, and three blocks in the game. Vickie Johnson and Kay Hampton chipped in with 13 points each as the Liberty won the game 67-57. For LA, Lisa Leslie matched Lobbo’s offensive game, scored 16 points, and collected 12 rebounds.
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The league held three matches on the day, including the Houston Comets vs the Cleveland Rockers and the Sacramento Monarchs vs the Utah Starzz.
Penny Toler – Scorer of First Basket in WNBA
The Women’s National Basketball Association provided a platform for elite basketball players to showcase their skills and compete professionally. It, in turn, contributed to the growth and visibility of women’s sports in the US. While the current league is far different and popular worldwide, its inaugural season will still be a significant stepping stone for its current success.
The first scorer in the WNBA, Penny Toler, was born in Washington and started playing college basketball for San Diego. Her skills and abilities reached new heights at Long Beach State. She even played overseas to gain professional basketball experience. At 31, she played her first game in the US’s newly formed women’s basketball league.
“Can you imagine? I was an older player — had already done eight years overseas — and coming back to all this. I felt like a rock star, and hadn’t even played a game yet,” Toler reacted after seeing her banner hung outside the Sparks Arena (Via ESPN).
The playmaker stayed with the Sparks for three seasons, averaging 10 points, four assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game in her career. After retiring at 34, the talented guard became the Sparks’ interim coach in 2014. She stayed with her first and only WNBA team and continued as general manager till 2019.
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