Fewer than 1,200 fans gathered at Barclays Center for the New York Liberty's 2021 season opener, but they got their first in-person glimpse of 2020 top pick Sabrina Ionescu in black and seafoam green threads. I tried to see it. His rookie season ended due to the bubble. Pandemic.
In just three years, Liberty's average attendance has increased by nearly 580%.
In 2023, the team recorded its first sellout at Barclays Center, drawing a crowd of 11,418 for a regular season game against the Las Vegas Aces.
This year, Ionescu and her teammates won the franchise's first WNBA Finals in front of a crowd of more than 18,000.
Of course, a win would make everything easier for the franchise.
Fans love to rally and invest in the team that brings home the title.
But Liberty's recent off-court success continues a larger trend across women's sports over the past few years.
After years of being underrepresented, women's sports, especially the WNBA, have seen a massive wave of investment, making it easier than ever for fans to watch and follow.
Women's sports may have been on the rise for years, but 2024 feels different.
From the budding rivalry between WNBA rookie stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese to U.S. Olympians Simone Biles and Ilona Maher wowing fans at the 2024 Paris Games, there was no shortage of exciting moments. It's salvation.
A new women's professional hockey league with the promise of viability and sustainability has been crowned its first champion.
Television viewership for various sports skyrocketed.
Attendance records were also shattered.
There was a story of redemption and heartbreak.
Viral moments and legendary performances.
Especially in the New York market, women's sports continue to carve out a place for themselves in a saturated sports landscape.
The Liberty brought the city its first professional basketball title since 1973.
Gotham FC did not return to the NWSL Championship.
Columbia women's basketball performed a dance for the first time in program history.
And things are looking up for the Sirens as they draft one of the most exciting rookies in hockey.
Let's take a look back at last year's performance for each local women's professional team.
freedom
After losing to the Aces in the 2023 WNBA Finals, the Liberty are back with revenge this season.
Brianna Stewart signed a discount contract and Jonquel Jones committed on paper to two more seasons with the Liberty.
The Liberty suffered a blowout loss to the Minnesota Lynx in the Commissioner's Cup Championship, but it was New York who ultimately had the last laugh.
Liberty faced the Lynx in one of the most memorable finals ever.
Both teams exchanged blows.
Ionescu hit a ridiculous 28-foot go-ahead shot with one second left, giving Liberty a 2-1 series lead.
The result was an epic Game 5, with Liberty winning in overtime.
The game ended up being the most-watched WNBA Finals game in the last 25 years, peaking at 3.3 million viewers.
The Liberty will have a good chance of defending their title in 2025, as Stewart is signed for one more season.
Gotham FC
In 2023, Gotham made a miraculous run in the postseason, going from being the last team to advance to the playoffs to remaining in the final group.
Gotham finished the regular season on a better note this time around, finishing in third place.
A lot of drama ensued in the playoffs.
Gotham hosted the Portland Thorns at Red Bull Arena in the team's first home playoff game, with Rose Lovell scoring the go-ahead goal seven minutes into stoppage time.
The semifinal match against the Washington Spirit was a penalty shootout.
The Spirit ended Gotham's season with a goal in three consecutive games, and goaltender Aubrey Kingsbury scored in three consecutive games.
Gotham had already lost one of its two notable free agents when midfielder Delaney Sheehan signed with the Houston Dash earlier this month.
It is still unclear whether Midge Peirce will return to Gotham in 2025.
siren
The Sirens hit the reset button after finishing their first year in the Women's Professional Hockey League in last place.
After playing home games at three different venues last season, the team has hired new coach Greg Fargo and is calling the Prudential Center home.
They also used the No. 1 overall pick to draft former Princeton University star Sarah Fillier.
Filier and Alex Carpenter's instant chemistry makes them perhaps the most dangerous duo in the league.
The Sirens were 2-1-1-2 at the end of this year, good for third place in the six-team league.
Looks like good things are in store for them in 2025.
