The Rise of Women's Sports in New York: A Year of Triumphs

New York Liberty's 2024 WNBA championship was a highlight of the city's women's sports scene. Just three years ago, only 1, 200 fans attended their season opener. Last year, their attendance skyrocketed by 580%, and their first sellout happened. This year, they won their first WNBA Finals in front of 18, 000 fans. Off-court success follows a larger trend in women's sports. 2024 was special with exciting moments like the rivalry between WNBA rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, and Olympic performances by Simone Biles and Ilona Maher. New professional women’s sports leagues gained traction. New York specifically saw growth with Liberty winning their first pro basketball title since 1973, Gotham FC making a playoff run, and Columbia women's basketball making history. Even the Sirens drafted a promising hockey rookie. Each team has its unique story, showing the progress women's sports have made.