New York Liberty

Last updated
New York Liberty
Basketball current event.svg 2024 New York Liberty season
New York Liberty logo.svg
Conference Eastern
Leagues WNBA
Founded1997
HistoryNew York Liberty
1997–present
Arena Barclays Center
Location Brooklyn, New York
Team colorsSeafoam green, black, white [1] [2]
   
CEOKeia Clarke
General manager Jonathan Kolb
Head coach Sandy Brondello
Assistant(s) Olaf Lange
Roneeka Hodges
Zach O'Brien
Ownership Joseph Tsai & Clara Wu Tsai
Championships1 (2024)
Conference titles6 (1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2023, 2024) [note 1]
Commissioner's Cup titles1 (2023)
Website liberty.wnba.com
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Heroine
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Explorer
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Rebel (until 2023)

The NY Liberty are an American professional basketball team based in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. The Liberty compete in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a member of the Eastern Conference. The team was founded in 1997 and is one of the eight original franchises of the league. The team is owned by Joe Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai, the majority owners of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets. The team's home games are played at Barclays Center.

Contents

The Liberty have qualified for the WNBA playoffs in nineteen of its twenty-eight years. The franchise has been home to many well-known players such as Teresa Weatherspoon, Rebecca Lobo, Becky Hammon, Leilani Mitchell, Essence Carson, Cappie Pondexter, Tina Charles, the team's first-ever No.1 overall draft pick Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Courtney Vandersloot.

In 2024, the New York Liberty won their first WNBA Championship beating the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA Finals. The Liberty have three conference championships, and one WNBA championship. They have played in the WNBA Finals six times— defeating the Minnesota Lynx in 2024, and losing to the Houston Comets in 1997, 1999, and 2000, the Los Angeles Sparks in 2002 and the Las Vegas Aces in 2023.

The New York Liberty introduced their mascot, Ellie the Elephant, on May 6, 2021. [3]

History

Early success (1997–2002)

Prior to the team's first season, to avoid potential trademark infringement, the team purchased the trademarks of the defunct Liberty Basketball Association.

When the WNBA opened in 1997, the Liberty were one of the first teams to choose a player, and they signed college superstar Rebecca Lobo (UConn) to a contract. Lobo was a starter for two seasons, but was injured in 1999. Her injuries eventually led to her retirement several seasons later. Point guard Teresa Weatherspoon emerged as a star, and the Liberty made it to the 1997 championship game, where the team lost to the Houston Comets. In 1999, they added Crystal Robinson with the 6th overall pick [4] and returned to the WNBA Finals, where they again faced the Comets. In Game 2, Teresa Weatherspoon's halfcourt shot at the buzzer gave the Liberty a one-point road win that tied the series at a game apiece. However, the Liberty lost the third game of the series and the Comets became champions for a third straight time.

In 2000, the Liberty traded for Tari Phillips who blossomed in New York and made four straight All-Star teams. In 2001, Weatherspoon became the WNBA's all-time assist leader. Teamed with Robinson, Phillips and an emerging Sue Wicks, who was once a back-up to Lobo at forward but made the 2000 All-Star game, Weatherspoon and the Liberty subsequently returned to the finals in 2000 and 2002, but lost once again to the Comets and to the Los Angeles Sparks, respectively. The Liberty also advanced to the WNBA Eastern Conference Finals in 2001.

Transition seasons (2003–2009)

Madison Square Garden during a Liberty game Madison Square Garden Liberty.jpg
Madison Square Garden during a Liberty game

The 2003 season marked a transition for the Liberty and with team leader Teresa Weatherspoon's WNBA career winding down, fan favorite Becky Hammon emerged as a star player. The 2004 season saw Hammon replacing Weatherspoon as the team's starting point guard.

The Liberty played six of their home games during the 2004 season at Radio City Music Hall as Madison Square Garden was hosting the 2004 Republican National Convention. [5] These games marked the first time Radio City had hosted a professional sporting event since the Roy Jones Jr. boxing match held in 1999.

With team leader Tari Phillips being signed away to the Houston Comets, Ann Wauters emerged as a force at the team's starting center position in 2005. However, she was injured midway through the season. The loss of Wauters was felt as the team was swept two games to none by the Indiana Fever in the first round of the playoffs.

The Liberty had a poor 2006 season, winning only 11 games.

At the beginning of the 2007 WNBA season, the team traded Becky Hammon to the San Antonio Silver Stars for Jessica Davenport, a first round pick in the 2007 WNBA draft. They also acquired center Janel McCarville through the dispersal draft associated with the dissolution of the Charlotte Sting. The 2007 Liberty started out 5–0, then lost 7 straight games, then rallied at the end of the season to get the last playoff spot by winning 3 out of their last 4 games, beating the Washington Mystics on the tiebreaker of head-to-head record. In the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Liberty, as huge underdogs, faced the defending champion Detroit Shock in a best-of-three series. The Liberty defeated the Shock in game 1 in New York. In games 2 and 3 the Liberty lost both games to the Shock in Detroit, 76–73 and 71–70 (OT), respectively.

In 2008, the Liberty drafted former Rutgers shooting guard Essence Carson and former North Carolina forward Erlana Larkins, and signed former Utah point guard Leilani Mitchell during the preseason. Despite having the youngest average age of any WNBA team, the Liberty managed to win 19 regular season games in 2008, to defeat the Connecticut Sun in the first round of playoff action, and to come within two points of defeating the Detroit Shock in the third and last game of the Eastern Conference Finals. Again, the Detroit series entailed a Liberty victory at home in Game 1, followed by narrow defeats away in Games 2 and 3. The 2008 season also featured the "Liberty Outdoor Classic", the first ever professional regular season basketball game to be played outdoors, on July 19 at Arthur Ashe Stadium of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The Indiana Fever defeated the Liberty in the Outdoor Classic.

In the 2009 WNBA draft, the Liberty selected local favorite Kia Vaughn from Rutgers. With a solid core group, the Liberty looked to be a contender in the East yet again.

In the 2009 season, however, they never proved to be a contender and the team fired head coach Pat Coyle. To replace Coyle, the Liberty hired then-Liberty assistant coach Anne Donovan on an interim basis. Despite the coaching change, the franchise continued to struggle, finishing 13–21, their second worst record in franchise history.

The Cappie Pondexter era (2010–2014)

The New York Liberty fared better in 2010, during Donovan's first and only full season as head coach. Led by newly signed high scorer Cappie Pondexter (formerly of the Phoenix Mercury) and the 2010 Most Improved Player Award winner Leilani Mitchell, the team made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost to the Atlanta Dream.

The team had high hopes for 2011, after the hiring of former WNBA champion head coach John Whisenant. Janel McCarville did not report to training camp, seeking time with her family, and as such, was suspended for the duration of the 2011 season. This caused division and discord within the New York Liberty fanbase. Kia Vaughn was unexpectedly thrust into the role of starting Center.

The Liberty were originally scheduled to be displaced from their usual home court due to renovations at Madison Square Garden scheduled to begin in 2009. However, the renovation plans were delayed, and the Liberty played at the Garden in 2009 and 2010. The Liberty ended up playing in the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, for their 2011, 2012, and 2013 seasons while the renovations were ongoing.

Pondexter and Plenette Pierson, along with improved play from Vaughn, allowed New York to be competitive early in the 2011 season. The team went into the All-Star break in third place in the Eastern Conference. In August, Sidney Spencer was traded to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for Kara Braxton. By maintaining a fairly even standard of play, the Liberty made their way into the WNBA playoffs. However, the Liberty fell to the Indiana Fever in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Just before the 2014 WNBA draft, the New York Liberty traded Kelsey Bone, the fourth overall pick in the 2014 WNBA draft (Alyssa Thomas) and the fourth overall pick in the 2015 WNBA draft to the Connecticut Sun for WNBA All-Star Tina Charles, who had requested a trade.

In February 2015, Pondexter was traded to the Chicago Sky for Epiphanny Prince. [6]

The Isiah Thomas era (2015–2018)

On May 5, 2015, the Liberty hired Thomas as team president overseeing all business and basketball operations of the franchise. [7] Under Thomas' leadership as team president and the coaching staff led by Bill Laimbeer as head coach, the Liberty finished first in the Eastern Conference during the 2015 season. [8]

On August 2, 2015, during halftime at the game against the Seattle Storm, the New York Liberty inducted WNBA legend Becky Hammon into the Liberty's Ring of Honor. Thomas presented Hammon with her ring during the induction ceremony at Madison Square Garden. Hammon is currently the head coach of the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces.

After qualifying for the 2016 WNBA playoffs, the Liberty lost to the Phoenix Mercury in the second round. [9] The Liberty lost to the Washington Mystics in the second round of the 2017 WNBA playoffs.

In November 2017, the Madison Square Garden Company and James L. Dolan announced they were actively looking to sell the franchise. [10] After not immediately finding a buyer, MSG relocated most of the Liberty's 2018 home games to Westchester County Center in nearby White Plains, New York, the home of MSG's NBA G League team the Westchester Knicks, while still continuing to pursue a sale. [11] In 2018, the Liberty failed to make the playoffs, with a 7–27 record.

The Tsai era (2019–present)

Joseph Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai at the New York Liberty's 2024 Ticker Tape Parade. Joe Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai at the 2024 NY Liberty Ticker Tape Parade.jpg
Joseph Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai at the New York Liberty's 2024 Ticker Tape Parade.

On January 23, 2019, the Liberty were sold to Joseph Tsai, co-founder of the Alibaba Group, a Chinese internet company, who then owned 49% of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets, [12] and Clara Wu Tsai, an American businesswoman and founder of nonprofit organization Reform Alliance. [13] [14] Isiah Thomas was relieved of his duties a month later, on February 21, 2019. [15] During the 2019 season, the Liberty played two games in Brooklyn at the Nets' home of the Barclays Center, with the rest still in White Plains. Later that year, Joseph Tsai became the sole owner of the Nets and the Barclays Center. [16] For the 2020 season, the Tsais relocated the Liberty to Brooklyn on a full-time basis. [17]

The Liberty were major players in the 2020 WNBA draft, entering that draft with three first-round picks plus two in the early second round. Shortly before the draft, they traded former league MVP Tina Charles to the Washington Mystics in a deal that also involved the Dallas Wings. [18] They chose Sabrina Ionescu as the first pick, with Megan Walker and Jazmine Jones selected later in that round. [19] The team also introduced a new logo, featuring a simplified version of their Statue of Liberty branding. The color black was also made one of the primary colors, echoing the aesthetic of their NBA brother squad, the Brooklyn Nets. [20]

The Liberty began the 2020 season, held in a "bubble" in Bradenton, Florida, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with seven rookies on their opening-night roster. [21] The team suffered a major blow in their third game, in which Ionescu suffered a severe ankle sprain that ultimately ended her season. [22] The Liberty ended the season with a league-worst 2–20 record. Despite the lack of wins, one of the first-year players, 12th overall pick Jazmine Jones, was named to the Associated Press and WNBA's All-Rookie teams. [23] [24]

2024 New York Liberty Game at the Barclays Center Arena Barclays Liberty.jpg
2024 New York Liberty Game at the Barclays Center Arena

The Liberty made major splashes during the 2021 offseason. Prior to its first season as full-time tenants of Barclays Center, the Liberty added WNBA champions Natasha Howard and Sami Whitcomb in a multi-team trade that sent Kia Nurse and Megan Walker to the Phoenix Mercury [25] and signed Betnijah Laney, the league's 2020 Most Improved Player Award winner. [26] The team then added Michaela Onyenwere and DiDi Richards in the 2021 WNBA draft. Laney would represent the Liberty at the 2021 WNBA All-Star Game while Onyenwere won the Associated Press' Rookie of the Year Award. New York finished the year with a 12–20 record but the 10-game improvement in the win column was enough to push the team into the WNBA playoffs for the first time since 2017. Seeded eighth, the Liberty put up a valiant effort against No. 5 Phoenix in the opening but fell by an 83–82 final.

On December 6, 2021, the Liberty and head coach Walt Hopkins Jr. parted ways. [27] The team would hire former Phoenix head coach Sandy Brondello in his place just over a month later on January 7, 2022. [28] On the roster, the team brought in Stefanie Dolson of the defending champion Chicago Sky and drafted Nyara Sabally fifth overall, though the latter would miss her whole rookie season with an injury. In Brondello's first season at the helm, the team was forced to overcome an early injury to Laney and got off to a 1–7 start. But the All-Star efforts of Ionescu and Howard kept the team afloat and they would end the season on a three-game winning streak to secure its second consecutive playoff berth. In the ensuing postseason, the Liberty won the opening game of a best-of-three set with the Chicago Sky but dropped the latter pair.

The New York Liberty's "Light it Up" torch is lit after an October 1, 2024 New York Liberty win against the Las Vegas Aces in the Semifinals of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs. Liberty Pyrotechnic Display after an October 2024 WNBA Playoffs Win.jpg
The New York Liberty's "Light it Up" torch is lit after an October 1, 2024 New York Liberty win against the Las Vegas Aces in the Semifinals of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs.

In 2023, the Liberty made several major transactions that turned them into immediate contenders: the team acquired 2021 WNBA MVP Jonquel Jones from the Connecticut Sun in a three-team deal that also obtained reserve Kayla Thornton from the Dallas Wings. The Liberty then added the equally accomplished Breanna Stewart and Courtney Vandersloot in free agency. Over the ensuing season, the Liberty won a franchise-record 32 games and defeated the Las Vegas Aces in the Commissioner's Cup in-season competition, with Jones securing MVP honors. The Liberty then took down the Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun in the WNBA playoffs to earn their first WNBA Finals berth since 2002. Las Vegas, however, took revenge and the best-of-five series in four games.

NY Liberty 2024 World Championship Ring NY Liberty 2024 World Championship Ring.jpg
NY Liberty 2024 World Championship Ring

New York retained most of its core from the Finals run, re-signing both Jones [29] and Stewart. [30] Further assisted by the emergence of WNBA rookie Leonie Fiebich, the Liberty once again won 32 games, tying the franchise record set the year before. The Liberty also returned to the Commissioner's Cup final but were denied a repeat by the Minnesota Lynx. [31] This time around, the 32 wins were good enough to secure the top seed on the WNBA playoff bracket, which saw the Liberty sweep the eighth-ranked Atlanta Dream in two games before defeating the Aces 3-1 in the semifinals. [32] New York won its first WNBA Championship beating the Minnesota Lynx in the 2024 WNBA Finals. [33]

Season-by-season records

SeasonTeamConferenceRegular season Playoff results Head coach
WLWin %
New York Liberty
1997 1997 East 2nd1711.607Won WNBA Semifinals (Phoenix, 1–0)
Lost WNBA Finals (Houston, 0–1)
Nancy Darsch
1998 1998 East 3rd1812.600Did not qualify Nancy Darsch
1999 1999 East 1st1814.563Received a bye for the Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals (Charlotte, 2–1)
Lost WNBA Finals (Houston, 1–2)
Richie Adubato
2000 2000 East 1st2012.625Won Conference Semifinals (Washington, 2–0)
Won Conference Finals (Cleveland, 2–1)
Lost WNBA Finals (Houston, 0–2)
Richie Adubato
2001 2001 East 2nd2111.656Won Conference Semifinals (Miami, 2–1)
Lost Conference Finals (Charlotte, 1–2)
Richie Adubato
2002 2002 East 1st1814.563Won Conference Semifinals (Indiana, 2–1)
Won Conference Finals (Washington, 2–1)
Lost WNBA Finals (Los Angeles, 0–2)
Richie Adubato
2003 2003 East 6th1618.471Did not qualify Richie Adubato
2004 2004 East 2nd1816.529Won Conference Semifinals (Detroit, 2–1)
Lost Conference Finals (Connecticut, 0–2)
R. Adubato (7–9)
P. Coyle (11–7)
2005 2005 East 3rd1816.529Lost Conference Semifinals (Indiana, 0–2) Pat Coyle
2006 2006 East 5th1123.324Did not qualify Pat Coyle
2007 2007 East 4th1618.471Lost Conference Semifinals (Detroit, 1–2) Pat Coyle
2008 2008 East 3rd1915.559Won Conference Semifinals (Connecticut, 2–1)
Lost Conference Finals (Detroit, 1–2)
Pat Coyle
2009 2009 East 7th1321.382Did not qualify P. Coyle (6–11)
A. Donovan (7–10)
2010 2010 East 2nd2212.647Won Conference Semifinals (Indiana, 2–1)
Lost Conference Finals (Atlanta, 0–2)
Anne Donovan
2011 2011 East 4th1915.559Lost Conference Semifinals (Indiana, 1–2) John Whisenant
2012 2012 East 4th1519.441Lost Conference Semifinals (Connecticut, 0–2) John Whisenant
2013 2013 East 5th1123.324Did not qualify Bill Laimbeer
2014 2014 East 5th1519.441Did not qualify Bill Laimbeer
2015 2015 East 1st2311.676Won Conference Semifinals (Washington, 2–1)
Lost Conference Finals (Indiana 1–2)
Bill Laimbeer
2016 2016 East 1st2113.618Lost Second Round (Phoenix 0–1) Bill Laimbeer
2017 2017 East 1st2212.647Lost Second Round (Washington 0–1) Bill Laimbeer
2018 2018 East 5th727.206Did not qualify Katie Smith
2019 2019 East 5th1024.294Did not qualify Katie Smith
2020 2020 East 6th220.091Did not qualify Walt Hopkins
2021 2021 East 3rd1220.375Lost First Round (Phoenix 0–1) Walt Hopkins
2022 2022 East 4th1620.444Lost First Round (Chicago 1–2) Sandy Brondello
2023 2023 East 1st328.800Won First Round (Washington 2–0)
Won Second Round (Connecticut, 3–1)
Lost WNBA Finals (Las Vegas 1–3)
Sandy Brondello
2024 2024 East 1st328.800Won First Round (Atlanta 2–0)
Won Second Round (Las Vegas 3–1)
Won WNBA Finals (Minnesota 3–2)
Sandy Brondello
Regular season482452.5163 conference championships
Playoffs4446.4891 WNBA championships, 5 Losses

Statistics

New York Liberty statistics
1990s
SeasonIndividualTeam vs opponents
PPG RPG APG PPG RPG FG%
1997 S. Witherspoon (14.5) R. Lobo (7.3) T. Weatherspoon (6.1)68.3 vs 65.932.9 vs 33.3.412 vs .391
1998 S. Witherspoon (13.8) R. Lobo (6.9) T. Weatherspoon (6.4)68.6 vs 65.531.5 vs 29.7.425 vs .419
1999 V. Johnson (13.3) S. Wicks (7.0) T. Weatherspoon (6.4)67.8 vs 65.329.5 vs 30.7.418 vs .412
2000s
SeasonIndividualTeam vs opponents
PPG RPG APG PPG RPG FG%
2000 T. Phillips (13.8) T. Phillips (8.0) T. Weatherspoon (6.4)67.1 vs 63.629.4 vs 30.2.436 vs .407
2001 T. Phillips (15.3) T. Phillips (8.0) T. Weatherspoon (6.3)67.6 vs 65.128.6 vs 30.7.456 vs .423
2002 T. Phillips (14.1) T. Phillips (7.0) T. Weatherspoon (5.7)65.3 vs 63.027.2 vs 30.0.444 vs .399
2003 B. Hammon (14.7) T. Phillips (8.5) T. Weatherspoon (4.4)66.0 vs 66.428.1 vs 31.2.429 vs .419
2004 B. Hammon (13.5) E. Baranova (7.2) B. Hammon (4.4)66.2 vs 67.629.5 vs 32.4.424 vs .414
2005 B. Hammon (13.9) E. Baranova (6.9) B. Hammon (4.3)68.1 vs 67.228.6 vs 30.3.445 vs .427
2006 B. Hammon (14.7) K. Schumacher (5.5) B. Hammon (3.7)69.8 vs 78.230.0 vs 34.5.397 vs .449
2007 S. Christon (11.2) J. McCarville (4.8) L. Moore (4.8)71.0 vs 73.631.6 vs 35.7.417 vs .414
2008 S. Christon (15.7) C. Kraayeveld (6.1) L. Moore (4.6)75.7 vs 74.632.5 vs 34.6.421 vs .427
2009 S. Christon (16.1) J. McCarville (5.5) L. Moore (3.9)73.9 vs 74.631.8 vs 35.4.415 vs .420
2010s
SeasonIndividualTeam vs opponents
PPG RPG APG PPG RPG FG%
2010 C. Pondexter (21.4) J. McCarville (5.9) C. Pondexter (4.9)79.2 vs 76.031.2 vs 32.0.453 vs .436
2011 C. Pondexter (17.4) K. Vaughn (6.7) C. Pondexter (4.7)76.0 vs 74.832.8 vs 32.4.433 vs .429
2012 C. Pondexter (20.4) P. Pierson (5.4) C. Pondexter (4.3)73.1 vs 77.233.4 vs 34.4.425 vs .429
2013 C. Pondexter (16.9) K. Braxton (6.6) C. Pondexter (4.0)69.6 vs 77.037.5 vs 35.0.404 vs .408
2014 T. Charles (17.4) T. Charles (9.4) C. Pondexter (3.9)72.1 vs 75.234.8 vs 33.9.422 vs .426
2015 T. Charles (17.1) T. Charles (8.5) T. Wright (3.5)74.4 vs 71.136.7 vs 31.5.426 vs .393
2016 T. Charles (21.5) T. Charles (9.9) T. Charles (3.8)81.6 vs 80.938.6 vs 34.0.434 vs .413
2017 T. Charles (19.7) T. Charles (9.4) E. Prince (2.9)79.7 vs 76.638.7 vs 31.8.425 vs .408
2018 T. Charles (19.7) T. Charles (7.0) B. Boyd (5.3)77.7 vs 84.834.1 vs 35.2.432 vs .439
2019 T. Charles (16.9) T. Charles (7.5) B. Boyd (4.6)77.4 vs 84.734.6 vs 35.7.414 vs .438
2020s
SeasonIndividualTeam vs opponents
PPG RPG APG PPG RPG FG%
2020 K. Nurse (12.2) A. Zahui B. (8.5) L. Clarendon (4.9)71.9 vs 85.935.8 vs 37.0.372 vs .444
2021 B. Laney (16.8) N. Howard (7.2) S. Ionescu (6.1)78.5 vs 85.533.3 vs 36.6.427 vs .438
2022 S. Ionescu (17.4) N. Howard (7.3) S. Ionescu (6.3)79.6 vs 82.034.2 vs 35.7.431 vs .418
2023 B. Stewart (23.0) B. Stewart (9.3) C. Vandersloot (8.1)89.2 vs 80.637.9 vs 33.0.460 vs .424
2024 B. Stewart (20.4) J. Jones (9.0) S. Ionescu (6.2)85.6 vs 76.536.6 vs 32.7.448 vs .425

Current roster

PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHeightWeightDOBFromYrs
G/F 2 Flag of the United States.svg Burke, Kennedy 6' 1" (1.85m)182 lb (83kg)1997-02-14 UCLA 4
G 1 Flag of the United States.svg Davis, Marquesha 6' 0" (1.83m)2001-05-29 Mississippi R
G 18 Flag of Croatia.svg Dojkić, Ivana 5' 11" (1.8m)154 lb (70kg)1997-12-24 Croatia 1
F 13 Flag of Germany.svg Fiebich, Leonie 6' 4" (1.93m)2000-01-10 Germany R
G 20 Flag of the United States.svg Ionescu, Sabrina 5' 11" (1.8m)165 lb (75kg)1997-12-06 Oregon 4
C 35 Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg Jones, Jonquel 6' 6" (1.98m)215 lb (98kg)1994-01-05 George Washington 7
G/F 44 Flag of the United States.svg Laney-Hamilton, Betnijah 6' 0" (1.83m)166 lb (75kg)1993-10-29 Rutgers 8
C 8 Flag of Germany.svg Sabally, Nyara 6' 5" (1.96m)204 lb (93kg)2000-02-26 Oregon 1
G 0 Flag of the United States.svg Sherrod, Jaylyn 5' 7" (1.7m)2001-10-21 Colorado R
F 30 Flag of the United States.svg Stewart, Breanna 6' 4" (1.93m)170 lb (77kg)1994-08-27 Connecticut 7
G 22 Flag of Hungary.svg Vandersloot, Courtney 5' 8" (1.73m)137 lb (62kg)1989-02-08 Gonzaga 13
Head coach
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sandy Brondello
Assistant coaches
Flag of Germany.svg Olaf Lange
Flag of the United States.svg Roneeka Hodges (Florida State)
Flag of the United States.svg Zach O'Brien (St. Joseph's (ME) )
Athletic trainer
Terri Acosta
Strength and conditioning coach
Emily Zaler

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured

  WNBA roster page

Other rights owned

NationalityNameYears proLast playedDrafted
Flag of France.svg Marine Fauthoux 2021
Flag of Spain.svg Raquel Carrera 2021

Former players

Honored numbers

New York Liberty honored numbers
No.PlayerPositionTenure
11 Teresa Weatherspoon G 1997–2003

Ring of Honor

Coaches and staff

Owners

General Managers

Head coaches

New York Liberty head coaches
NameStartEndSeasonsRegular seasonPlayoffs
WLWin %GWLWin %G
Nancy Darsch 1997199823523.6035811.5002
Richie Adubato 19982004510078.5621781413.51927
Pat Coyle 2004200958190.474171610.37516
Anne Donovan 2009201022922.5695123.4005
John Whisenant 2010201223434.5006814.2005
Bill Laimbeer 2013201759278.54117035.3758
Katie Smith 2018201921751.25068000
Walt Hopkins 2020202121440.25954010
Sandy Brondello 2022present38036.690116159.62524

Assistant coaches

All-time notes

Home arenas

Regular season attendance

Regular season all-time attendance
YearAverageHighLowSelloutsTotal for yearWNBA game average
199713,270 (2nd)18,0518,5540185,7869,669
199814,935 (2nd)19,56311,2761224,02410,869
199913,797 (2nd)16,78210,9400220,74810,207
200014,498 (2nd)19,56311,2571231,9629,074
200115,671 (1st)18,21312,2620250,7359,075
200214,670 (2nd)19,56312,0371234,7179,228
200312,491 (2nd)15,42410,7110212,3468,800
20049,629 (3rd)15,6985,9450163,6868,613
200510,145 (1st)12,5437,8970172,4718,172
20069,120 (2nd)14,0707,7510155,0487,476
20078,677 (2nd)11,3416,2670147,5067,742
20089,045 (4th)19,3936,9280153,7727,948
20099,800 (3rd)15,6678,0180166,6048,039
201011,069 (1st)18,1627,5370188,1737,834
20117,702 (8th)14,3145,7250130,9367,954
20126,779 (9th)14,7154,7230115,2417,452
20137,189 (7th)12,8585,7660122,2177,531
20148,949 (3rd)17,2527,0230152,1287,578
20159,159 (3rd)18,6175,6630155,6957,184
20169,724 (2nd)14,5037,356165,3007,655
20179,888 (4th)17,4437,0040168,0967,716
20182,823 (12th)12,4881,419047,9886,721
20192,239 (12th)7,7151,181038,0676,535
2020Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the season was played in Bradenton, Florida, without fans. [35]
20211,874 (9th)3,114815028,1132,636
20225,327 (8th)9,8963,054095,8825,679
20237,777 (5th)11,6155,7190155,5356,615
202412,729 (2nd)17,7589,1822254,5909,807

Draft picks

Trades

All-Stars

Olympians

Honors and awards

  • 1997All-WNBA Second Team: Rebecca Lobo
  • 1997All-WNBA Second Team: Teresa Weatherspoon
  • 1997Defensive Player of the Year: Teresa Weatherspoon
  • 1998All-WNBA Second Team: Teresa Weatherspoon
  • 1998Defensive Player of the Year: Teresa Weatherspoon
  • 1999All-WNBA Second Team: Teresa Weatherspoon
  • 2000All-WNBA Second Team: Teresa Weatherspoon
  • 2000Most Improved Player: Tari Phillips
  • 2001Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award: Sue Wicks
  • 2002All-WNBA Second Team: Tari Phillips
  • 2005All-WNBA Second Team: Becky Hammon
  • 2007Most Improved Player: Janel McCarville
  • 2007All-Defensive Second Team: Loree Moore
  • 2010All-WNBA First Team: Cappie Pondexter
  • 2010Most Improved Player: Leilani Mitchell
  • 2010All-Defensive First Team: Cappie Pondexter
  • 2010All-Rookie Team: Kalana Greene
  • 2011All-WNBA Second Team: Cappie Pondexter
  • 2011Most Improved Player: Kia Vaughn
  • 2012All-WNBA First Team: Cappie Pondexter
  • 2013All-Rookie Team: Kelsey Bone
  • 2014All-WNBA Second Team: Tina Charles
  • 2015Coach of the Year: Bill Laimbeer
  • 2015All-Rookie Team: Brittany Boyd
  • 2015All-Rookie Team: Kiah Stokes
  • 2015All-Defensive Second Team: Tina Charles
  • 2015All-Defensive Second Team: Kiah Stokes
  • 2015All-Defensive Second Team: Tanisha Wright
  • 2015All-WNBA First Team: Tina Charles
  • 2015All-WNBA Second Team: Epiphanny Prince
  • 2016Peak Performer (Points): Tina Charles
  • 2016Peak Performer (Rebounds): Tina Charles
  • 2016All-Defensive Second Team: Tanisha Wright
  • 2017WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year: Sugar Rodgers
  • 2020All-Rookie Team: Jazmine Jones
  • 2021All-Rookie Team: Michaela Onyenwere
  • 2021All-Rookie Team: DiDi Richards
  • 2021Rookie of the Year: Michaela Onyenwere
  • 2022All-WNBA Second Team: Sabrina Ionescu
  • 2023Peak Performer (Assists): Courtney Vandersloot
  • 2023All-Defensive first team: Breanna Stewart
  • 2023All-Defensive second team: Betnijah Laney
  • 2023WNBA MVP: Breanna Stewart
  • 2023All-WNBA First Team: Breanna Stewart
  • 2023All-WNBA Second Team: Sabrina Ionescu
  • 2023WNBA Executive of the Year: Jonathan Kolb
  • 2024WNBA Finals MVP: Jonquel Jones
  • 2024All-Rookie Team: Leonie Fiebich
  • 2024All-WNBA First Team: Breanna Stewart
  • 2024All-WNBA Second Team: Sabrina Ionescu
  • 2024All-WNBA Second Team: Jonquel Jones
  • 2024All-Defensive First Team: Breanna Stewart
  • 2024All-Defensive Second Team: Jonquel Jones

Media coverage

On March 12, 2024, it was announced that Liberty games would be broadcast on WNYW and WWOR beginning with the 2024 season. [36]

On June 4, 2024, the Liberty launched their direct-to-consumer service "Liberty Live", which would be the streaming home of the New York Liberty. [37]

Previously, games had been broadcast on MSG Network and the YES Network. Broadcasters for the Liberty games are Chris Shearn and Julianne Viani. [38]

Some Liberty games are broadcast nationally on CBS, CBS Sports Network, Ion Television, ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. [39]

Notes

  1. The WNBA awarded conference championships to the winners of the Conference Finals in the playoffs from 1998 to 2015.
  2. Two games
  3. Liberty Outdoor Classic
  4. Six games

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References

  1. "A Closer Look Inside: NY Liberty Logo History". Liberty.WNBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. April 14, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  2. "New York Liberty Reproduction Guideline Sheet". WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  3. Covington, Abigail (2023-10-13). "Have You Ever Seen an Elephant Twerk?". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2024-07-19.
  4. "WNBA.com: Crystal Robinson Playerfile". Archived from the original on 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2014-01-29.
  5. Williams, Lena (25 July 2004). "PRO BASKETBALL; Liberty Opens Big on Its Home, Er, Stage". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  6. Sandalow, Brian (February 16, 2015). "Sky send Epiphanny Prince to New York for Cappie Pondexter". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on February 16, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  7. "Liberty introduce Team President Isiah Thomas". New York Liberty.
  8. Berman, Marc. "Isiah Thomas – yes, that Isiah Thomas – is Liberty's Mr. Fix-t". New York Post.
  9. Feinberg, Doug (24 September 2016). "Taurasi helps Mercury advance to semifinals, beat Liberty". WNBA. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  10. Voepel, Mechelle (November 15, 2017). "Jim Dolan parting ways with New York Liberty was only a matter of time". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 24, 2017.
  11. "MSG to Operate Liberty While Continuing to Pursue Sale, Westchester County Center to Serve as Team's Primary Home for 2018". New York Liberty. February 8, 2018.
  12. Draper, Kevin (23 January 2019). "Joe Tsai Makes Purchase of the Liberty Official". The New York Times. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  13. Negley, Cassandra (2023-02-09). "Liberty co-owner Clara Wu Tsai believes charter flights 'enough of a topic' within WNBA that commissioner will address it". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
  14. Streeter, Kurt (2023-05-17). "The Liberty Took a Few Jets and a Boat to Become a Superteam". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2023-10-05.
  15. Kussoy, Howie (22 February 2019). "Isiah Thomas is no longer running the Liberty". New York Post. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  16. "NBA Board of Governors approves sale of Nets to Joe Tsai" (Press release). National Basketball Association. September 18, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  17. "New York Liberty Announce Barclays Center as Home Venue Beginning in 2020". OurSports Central. October 17, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  18. "Liberty trade Tina Charles to Mystics in 3-team deal". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 15, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  19. "WNBA Draft '20: Draft Board". WNBA. April 17, 2020. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  20. Magliocchetti, Geoff (14 April 2020). "New York Liberty Unveil New Logo Prior to WNBA Draft". elitesportsny.com. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  21. Voepel, Mechelle (June 26, 2020). "New York Liberty sign seventh rookie in Joyner Holmes". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  22. "Liberty's Sabrina Ionescu won't need surgery on her sprained left ankle". ESPN.com. August 22, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  23. Magliocchetti, Geoff (15 September 2020). "New York Liberty's Jazmine Jones named to AP's All-Rookie team". empiresportsmedia.com. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  24. "Jazmine Jones Named to WNBA's 2020 All-Rookie Team". New York Liberty. September 27, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  25. "Liberty welcome WNBA champions Natasha Howard, Sami Whitcomb, trade Kia Nurse and Megan Walker in deals with Storm, Mercury". New York Daily News . 10 February 2021.
  26. Magliocchetti, Geoff (2 February 2021). "New York Liberty sign 2020 Most Improved Player Betnijah Laney". Empire Sports Media. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  27. Magliocchetti, Geoff (6 December 2021). "BREAKING: New York Liberty, Walt Hopkins part ways". empiresportsmedia.com. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  28. Magliocchetti, Geoff (31 December 2021). "New York Liberty to hire Sandy Brondello as new head coach (Report)" . Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  29. https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/new-york-liberty/new-york-liberty-re-sign-jonquel-jones-playoff-heroine-wnba-free-agency
  30. https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/new-york-liberty/new-york-liberty-breanna-stewart-wnba-free-agency-below-max-deal-re-signs
  31. Schlachter, Thomas (2024-06-26). "Minnesota Lynx win Commissioner's Cup with closely fought victory against New York Liberty". CNN. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  32. Pickman, Ben. "An original WNBA franchise, the New York Liberty finally won a championship". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  33. "New York Liberty win first WNBA championship, beating Lynx in OT". NBA.com. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  34. "WNBA Announces Sale of New York Liberty to Joe Tsai". WNBA. January 23, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  35. "WNBA Announces Plan To Tip Off 2020 Season". WNBA. 2020-06-16. Retrieved 2020-06-17.
  36. Magliocchetti, Geoff (12 March 2024). "Liberty Land New TV Deal, Games to be Broadcast on NYC Fox Affiliate". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  37. "N.Y. Liberty launch DTC streaming service". sportsbusinessjournal.com. 4 June 2024.
  38. "YES Network becomes official regional TV partner of WNBA's New York Liberty" (Press release). Yes Network. 2019-05-22. Retrieved 2019-05-23.
  39. "WNBA Extends TV Rights Deal with ESPN and ABC" . Sports Business. June 18, 2007. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
None
WNBA Eastern Conference co-champions
with Houston Comets

1997
Succeeded by
No title awarded
Preceded by
No title awarded
WNBA Eastern Conference champions
1999, 2000
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Charlotte Sting
WNBA Eastern Conference champions
2002
Succeeded by

Official Website