When the final buzzer sounded in the Barclays Center on Oct. 20, 2024, two decades of frustration transformed into pure jubilation. The New York Liberty, one of the WNBA's founding franchises, finally secured its first championship after 28 seasons of competitive basketball.
When Joe and Clara Wu Tsai acquired the New York Liberty in 2019, they set out to revolutionize what a WNBA franchise could be. Their first major move was bringing the team back to New York City proper, transitioning from Westchester County to the state-of-the-art Barclays Center in Brooklyn – making the Liberty the first WNBA team to play in NYC's largest borough.
The Tsais' commitment to treating athletes as premier professionals reshaped the franchise. They chartered private flights for the team despite league restrictions, upgraded training facilities, and invested in player development and comfort – actions that drew both attention and some controversy for pushing the boundaries of league policies.
Their aggressive pursuit of top talent transformed the roster. The Liberty made headlines by assembling a superteam, acquiring former MVP Jonquel Jones in 2023 and signing two-time WNBA champion Breanna Stewart in free agency. This investment extended beyond players to include hiring 2021 Coach of the Year Sandy Brondello and building one of the largest coaching staffs in the league.
The ownership's approach set new standards for WNBA operations. They enhanced the gameday experience at Barclays Center, invested in marketing and community outreach, and they demonstrated how treating a women's sports franchise on par with NBA teams could drive both performance and business success. Average attendance surged, with the Liberty ranking among the WNBA's top teams in ticket sales and revenue.
This transformative vision didn't just change one franchise – it challenged the entire WNBA to elevate its standards. The Liberty became a case study in how investment in women's sports could yield returns on and off the court, pushing other ownership groups to reconsider their approach to team operations and athletes support.
The Liberty's resurgence as a premier franchise reflects a broader evolution in women's professional sports, where increased investment and professional treatment of athletes is proving to be not just ethically right, but also good business. Their journey demonstrates how committed ownership, strategic investment, and respect for athletes can transform a franchise and impact an entire league. [RS]
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