WNBA teams to wear retro jerseys to celebrate league’s 30th anniversary
In honor of the WNBA’s 30th season, the three inaugural franchises that stay of their unique cities — the New York Liberty, Los Angeles Sparks and Phoenix Mercury — are releasing throwback uniforms for particular video games all through the season, beginning opening evening when the Liberty host the Connecticut Sun at Barclays Center. The unique WNBA brand and crest can even seem on the uniforms.
The uniforms will probably be highlighted throughout “WNBA Court Origins Nights” matchups — New York at Los Angeles on June 21, New York at Phoenix on Aug. 1, Las Vegas at New York on Aug. 9 and Los Angeles at Las Vegas on Sept. 22 — in addition to different video games all through the season. The Court Origins video games can even characteristic throwback components each within the enviornment and on broadcasts.
“They’re amazing,” Liberty guard-forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton stated of the jerseys. “I love that we’re going back to those colors for some games.”
Laney-Hamilton alluded to a definite court docket the Liberty will debut this season as effectively, telling media members after observe Friday, “You’re in for a treat, I’ll say that.” The Sparks and Mercury can even introduce new court docket designs this season.
Liberty CEO Keia Clarke stated the uniforms are “a tribute to the moments and people that built this franchise and a reflection of the momentum that continues to drive us forward. As we begin our celebration of 30 seasons, we are proud to be an organization that has helped shape the trajectory of women’s basketball. This uniform connects our beginnings to our future and reinforces the role this team plays in the game, in culture, and in the next generation.”
New York Liberty – Gotta Get Up (Official Music Video)
This season, historical past will repeat itself and we’re throwing it again to the place it began with our Court Origins uniform!🗽
Dropping May 2026 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Ug3uE9oWsq
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) April 24, 2026
The Mercury debuted their uniform, that includes the retro “watermelon colorway,” to a few of their iconic gamers and coaches forward of the discharge. Cheryl Miller, who coached the Mercury from 1997-2000, known as the uniforms “sensational,” and former Mercury star Diana Taurasi was excited to see a classic uniform that regarded genuine.
“That was always the point, right? We were always saying, ‘When are we going to get there?'” Taurasi stated.
GOAT permitted ☑️ pic.twitter.com/84d7XtHEyM
—Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) April 24, 2026
Wilson, the WNBA’s official recreation ball model, has additionally launched a particular version basketball to commemorate the season. The retro recreation ball can already be bought for $124.95 on the Wilson web site.
However, keen followers who need to purchase the uniforms — which have been promoted on social media after the discharge of the photographs and hype movies — can have to wait, as the brand new jerseys and accompanying attire will not be obtainable for buy till May 21, practically two weeks into the season.
Every group has its origin story. pic.twitter.com/7eudurkz2o
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) April 24, 2026
The unique plan was for the Court Origin’s assortment to launch in May, Nike instructed TheAthletic through e-mail. The WNBA elected to unveil the gathering earlier than the retail launch to give followers an early take a look at the product and tie it to the anniversary of the league’s inception, as marked by the NBA Board of Governors vote 30 years in the past.
Products with the Court Origins logos and 30th season objects (past the retro jerseys) can even be obtainable for buy.
The Liberty will premiere their retro uniforms at their season opener on May 8 towards the Sun. The Mercury are presently slated to debut theirs at residence on May 21 towards Los Angeles. The Sparks didn’t specify when they’ll debut the uniforms within the group’s press launch.
The delay between selling these uniforms and having them obtainable for buy might be a possible missed alternative for the WNBA, which has historically struggled to keep up with fans’ merchandise demandsparticularly for jerseys.
