The New York Liberty captured their first WNBA title in franchise history on Sunday night, securing a thrilling overtime victory against the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5 of the Finals at the Barclays Center. The win not only marked the team’s inaugural championship but also ended a nearly 50-year drought for professional basketball titles in New York City. Liberty forward and New York native Breanna Stewart expressed her excitement about celebrating the achievement with the city, calling it a surreal and monumental moment.
To honor the historic victory, Mayor Eric Adams organized a ticker-tape parade on Thursday through Manhattan’s iconic “Canyon of Heroes.” Fans of all ages attended the parade, celebrating the Liberty’s triumph and the broader impact on women’s sports. Many attendees, including parents and their children, highlighted the significance of the championship for inspiring young girls. It was only the second women’s sports championship parade in the city’s history, the first being for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team in 2019.
The win also marked a milestone for the WNBA, as Game 5 set a new record for viewership, with 3.3 million people tuning in. Attendance at the Barclays Center reached a franchise-high of 18,518, reflecting the league’s increasing popularity. Social media coverage and endorsements from prominent athletes such as Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have contributed to a surge in fan engagement, with WNBA regular-season attendance up by 48% and TV viewership growing by 170% in the past year.
Celebrations were filled with memorable moments, including Stewart’s playful social media request for a bottle of red wine, which a fan fulfilled during the parade. NYU women’s basketball coach Meg Barber and others praised the diversity and passion of the crowd, noting the emotional significance of seeing a New York women’s team receive such public acclaim. The championship was a unifying moment, shining a light on the importance of representation in sports.
For the Liberty, the victory was a long-awaited triumph after 28 years and five previous unsuccessful trips to the Finals. It also revitalized New York’s storied basketball legacy, with the last championship dating back to 1976 when the Nets won an ABA title. NYU basketball captain Belle Pelleccia emphasized the broader impact, stating that the victory not only enhances Liberty’s reputation but also strengthens the overall brand of women’s basketball in a city steeped in basketball culture.
