January 19, 2025

Sports history in Black: First championship WNBA trophy awarded

Cynthia Cooper-Dyke speaks at the University of Southern California's Galen Center as USC retired her #44 jersey on March 6, 2011. Photo credit: Neon Tommy

By Mike Patton

NABJ Black News & Views

The first WNBA championship series between the New York Liberty and the Houston Comets ended on August 30, 1997 with the Comets taking home the trophy. That  first year of the WNBA gave talented female basketball players the chance to play professionally in the United States rather than travel overseas to make money doing what they love.

Cynthia Cooper-Dyke speaks at the University of Southern California's Galen Center as USC retired her #44 jersey on March 6, 2011. Photo credit: Neon Tommy
Cynthia Cooper-Dyke speaks at the University of Southern California’s Galen Center as USC retired her #44 jersey on March 6, 2011. Photo credit: Neon Tommy 

The Liberty, led by Teresa Weatherspoon, were tough, but the Comets, led by Cynthia Cooper-Dyke were tougher.  Cooper-Dyke also won the MVP trophy.

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