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June 1997

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Achievement · sport
WNBA plays its inaugural season featuring Black stars

The WNBA's first season featured Lisa Leslie (Los Angeles Sparks), Sheryl Swoopes (Houston Comets), and Cynthia Cooper, establishing the first major sustained women's professional basketball league in the U.S.

Events

  1. June 21, 1997
    WNBA plays its inaugural season featuring Black stars

    The WNBA's first season featured Lisa Leslie (Los Angeles Sparks), Sheryl Swoopes (Houston Comets), and Cynthia Cooper, establishing the first major sustained women's professional basketball league in the U.S.

  2. June 28, 1997
    Tyson bites Holyfield's ear in infamous rematch

    During their WBA heavyweight rematch, Mike Tyson bit off a portion of Evander Holyfield's ear, leading to his disqualification. The incident became one of the most-watched and discussed moments in sports history.