The **New York Liberty** is a pioneering professional women's basketball team based in Brooklyn, New York City, competing in the WNBA's Eastern Conference. Founded in 1997 as one of the league's original eight franchises, the Liberty have been a consistent competitive force, reaching the playoffs in 19 of 28 seasons and playing in six WNBA Finals appearances. The team clinched its first WNBA Championship in 2024, defeating the Minnesota Lynx 3-2, a historic milestone that capped decades of competitive prominence[1][2][4]. The Liberty's early years were marked by immediate success, reaching the league finals in their inaugural 1997 season and again in 1999, 2000, and 2002, though falling short to dominant teams like the Houston Comets and Los Angeles Sparks. Throughout their history, they have been home to many WNBA legends, including Teresa Weatherspoon (famous for a half-court shot in the 1999 Finals), Rebecca Lobo, Becky Hammon, Tina Charles, Sabrina Ionescu (the franchise’s first-ever No. 1 draft pick), Breanna Stewart (2023 WNBA MVP and key to recent success), and Jonquel Jones[1][2][7]. Ownership changed significantly in 2019 when billionaire Joe Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai acquired the Liberty, moving the team to the Barclays Center and investing heavily in the roster and organizational professionalism. This strategic business approach led to rapid growth, culminating in the 2024 championship. The Tsais' vision emphasizes treating women's sports teams as serious business ventures, aiming to build sustained on-court success and commercial value, with ambitions to surpass a $1-billion franchise valuation[3]. Beyond basketball, the Liberty have been influential culturally, participating in social justice initiatives and community events, including Black Lives Matter solidarity and the New York City Pride March. The team also holds WNBA records, such as the most three-pointer