The team began play in the fall of 2003 at Selland Arena in Fresno, California.

The founder of the Fresno Heatwave was Albert Ellis and Richard Hanna.

The Fresno Heatwave was coached by Sean Higgins, and its vice president was Janine Nkosi.

Originally, the team was called the Fresno Heat, but it was renamed Fresno Heatwave to avoid brand confusion with the National Basketball Association's Miami Heat.

[4] In November 2014 team owner Reggie Davis announced that the Heatwave was ceasing operations immediately.