It started off with 8 franchises: Charlotte Sting, Cleveland Rockers, Houston Comets, Los Angeles Sparks, New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury, Sacramento Monarchs, and the Utah Starzz.

It featured an inaugural game between the New York Liberty and the Los Angeles Sparks.

The Sparks lost to the New York Liberty, 67–57.

[1] The season ended with the Comets defeating the Liberty in a one-game series 65–51.

Cynthia Cooper was named MVP of the game.