In 1997, the Houston Comets defeated the New York Liberty to become the WNBA's first champions. The team, predicted to finish last, defied expectations and won the league's inaugural title. Fran Harris, a guard for the Comets, recalls a late-night dinner in Sacramento after a victory over the Monarchs. Cynthia Cooper had scored 44 points, and her performance left her teammates in awe. "I said to Cynthia, 'I just cannot believe how great you’re playing – and I know how great you are!'" Harris remembers. Cooper, then 34, was not expected to be the league's top player, having played in Europe after college. But she became a two-time MVP and four-time champion.
A Team of Veterans and Underdogs
The Comets were an older team, but age brought experience. They included the first No. 1 draft pick, Tina Thompson, and Sheryl Swoopes, who joined after giving birth. Many thought the championship would go to New York or Los Angeles. Yolanda Moore, a rookie and mother of two, remembers the skepticism: "People just thought our team was too old to compete." The WNBA's launch came after previous women's leagues had failed. The ABL, a rival league, folded after two seasons. Harris, who had won an NCAA title, chose the WNBA after a former teammate warned her against the ABL.
Tryouts and Team Dynamics
Tryouts began on Mother's Day weekend. Moore, who had a complicated pregnancy, worked out in March and made the team despite her coach's doubts. The Comets shared facilities with the Houston Rockets and received support from the organization. Players like Harris and Moore roomed together on the road, building a family-like bond. The first regular-season game in Cleveland drew a sold-out crowd of 11,455. "It was incredibly surreal," Harris says.
Competition and Clashes
Cynthia Cooper's work ethic set the standard. She often arrived at practice hours early, drenched in sweat. Her rise sometimes clashed with Sheryl Swoopes's fame. Swoopes, the league's first signee, had her own Nike shoe. Moore recalls tension: "It was, This is my team, no this is my team!" Despite the ego clashes, the Comets finished first in the Eastern Conference with an 18-10 record. They beat the Charlotte Sting and the New York Liberty in short playoffs to win the title.
Celebration Amid Tragedy
The championship game was on August 30, 1997. The next day, Princess Diana died in a car crash. "We went from winning the championship to deflation," Harris says. But Houston threw a parade for the Comets. Moore remembers the city's embrace: "It seemed like the whole city shut down and showed up for us." The Comets' victory marked the start of a dynasty, with four consecutive titles. The team's success helped solidify the WNBA's future.
