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Updated:Apr 23, 2026
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Women's National Basketball Association: Founding and Early Growth (1996–2010)

Women's National Basketball Association: Founding and Early Growth (1996–2010)

  1. NBA approves creation of the WNBA

    Labels: NBA Board
  2. National TV partners announced for launch

    Labels: NBC, ESPN
  3. Eight charter cities selected as founding teams

    Labels: Founding teams
  4. First expansion draft adds Detroit and Washington

    Labels: Expansion draft
  5. ABL folds, sending talent pool toward WNBA

    Labels: American Basketball
  6. WNBA and players reach first collective bargaining agreement

    Labels: Collective bargaining
  7. Four-team expansion draft creates a 16-team league

    Labels: Expansion draft
  8. Draft lottery introduced to set top draft order

    Labels: Draft lottery
  9. Championship series rebranded as the WNBA Finals

    Labels: WNBA Finals
  10. Detroit Shock win 2003 title, ending Sparks’ repeat bid

    Labels: Detroit Shock
  11. Houston Comets suspended operations, marking early-era endpoint

    Labels: Houston Comets