The league was established in 2016 by Sonya Nichols, a former basketball player for the James Madison Dukes.
The inaugural season began with four teams: the Flint Monarchs, Milwaukee Aces, Akron Innovators, and Illinois Starletz.
Following the 2018 season, which was again won by the Monarchs, the league added two teams: the Wisconsin Glo and St. Louis Surge.
The Glo finished their inaugural season undefeated and won the league championship, defeating the three-time defending champions Monarchs.
In 2021, the Music City Icons were replaced by the Detroit Dodgers, who finished out the regular season schedule but ultimately left the GWBA to become an independent women's basketball organization.