As the WNBA (www.WNBA.com) continues to commemorate its landmark 25th season, the league today announced plans for the selection of “The W25” and the first ever launch of the “Vote for the GOAT” program.
Many WNBA players have been deemed the greatest of all time (GOAT) over the last 25 years, but fans will vote for their GOAT by calling out their pick with the hashtag #WNBAGoatVote on Twitter, on WNBA.com or on the WNBA App.
There are so many candidates. Back in 2011 they had a WNBA Top 15 Player of All-Time, but in the last decade the WNBA has had a talent infusion unlike any period in its brief 25-year history.
Is it Houston Comets dynasty leader Cynthia Cooper?
Or maybe her teammate Sheryl Swoopes who they called the Female Michael Jordan”?
https://youtu.be/T2bclxP5wEU
Maybe Candace Parker, who helped revolutionize the women’s game?
If Cheryl Miller was eligible she would have our vote.
Diana Taurasi holds almost every WNBA scoring record known to man.
https://youtu.be/DX2o4LZI4bE
But Sue Bird who’s 4-0 in the WNBA Finals and racks up championships at the same rate that DaBaby offends people.
Lisa Leslie is the premier big woman in WNBA history. We owe plenty of what the league has become today to the heroic feats of the WNBA’s Wilt Chamberlain.
Mya Moore could do it all.
Lauren Jackson, “The Wonder From The Land Down Under”
Pretty soon, it could be Breanna Stewart.
Can’t forget 6-6 Sylvia Fowles.
And the consumate pro and legend Tamika Catchings.
Elena Delle Donne is a legend.
“We are excited to recognize and honor the greatest names in women’s professional basketball as part of our continuing celebration of the WNBA’s 25th season,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
“Throughout the 2021 season, we are celebrating a quarter of a century of the impact the WNBA has made on sports and society, and on generations of young and diverse athletes. As we prepare for the first ever Commissioner’s Cup Championship Game and the resumption of our regular season schedule in mid-August, we are pleased to announce “The W25” platform and the “Vote for the GOAT” program.”
As announced in March, the “The W25” platform will consist of the selection and honoring of the WNBA’s 25 greatest and most influential players since its inception in 1997. These game-changing athletes will be selected based on their overall contribution to the league and community.
A new, additional element of “The W25” platform will provide fans the opportunity to vote for the greatest WNBA player of all time through the “Vote for the GOAT” program.
The W25 – The Details
The selection of the league’s 25 greatest and most influential players will begin with a list of nearly 75 nominees selected based on factors such as on-court performance and ability, leadership, sportsmanship and community service, and contributions to team success and the overall growth of women’s basketball.
A select panel composed of media members and women’s basketball pioneers and advocates will then cast the votes that will determine “The W25,” which will be unveiled on Sunday, Sept. 5, during the ABC broadcast of the Las Vegas Aces at Chicago Sky game (3 p.m. ET).
The nominees must have been a member of a WNBA team for at least two seasons and met four of the following seven criteria: been the winner of a major individual award; a selection to either the All-WNBA First Team or All-WNBA Second Team; a selection to either the WNBA All-Defensive First Team or WNBA All-Defensive Second Team; a selection to the WNBA All-Star Game; a member of a WNBA Championship team; a current ranking among the top 40 career leaders in at least one major statistical category; and/or a recipient of the WNBA’s season-long Community Assist Award.
The GOAT Details
Beginning on Sept. 5 immediately following the announcement of “The W25,” fans will have an opportunity to vote for the member of that esteemed group that they believe is the greatest WNBA player of all time through the “Vote for the GOAT.” program. Fan voting will conclude at 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 19. The GOAT will then be unveiled on during the WNBA Finals 2021 presented by YouTube TV.
