Liberty Legends Surprise Team Before 29th Anniversary Game in Los Angeles

Q: As WNBA stars now earn millions, how are the pioneers who built the league being rewarded for their past sacrifices?

They are finally getting a direct financial reward: the WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement includes a “Veteran Recognition Payment” for retired players who helped build the league when salaries and support were far lower. Under the program, retired players with at least five years of WNBA service receive a one-time lump sum based on tenure: $30,000 for 5–7 years, $50,000 for 8–11 years, and $100,000 for 12 or more years. Former MVPs qualify for the top $100,000 payment regardless of service length. In total, the payouts are expected to exceed $14 million and reach roughly 280 retirees before the end of the year. That matters because the pioneers being honored by teams such as the Liberty and Sparks played in an era with modest pay, fewer resources and limited visibility. Current stars now benefit from a booming league, including a richer media-rights deal, a higher salary cap and a wave of million-dollar contracts. The recognition payments are meant to ensure some of that new prosperity reaches the women whose sacrifices made the league possible. The reward is not only financial. The league’s 30th-season celebrations, Ring of Honor ceremonies, throwback events and prominent appearances by former stars such as Teresa Weatherspoon, Sue Wicks, Vickie Johnson, Kym Hampton and Lisa Leslie show a parallel effort to restore visibility and respect to the WNBA’s founding generation.

Q: Why did a legends' visit, meant to inspire victory, precede a 17-point collapse and the benching of a star player?

It did not happen because the legends’ visit backfired; it happened because inspiration could not overcome what unfolded on the court. The visit from Teresa Weatherspoon, Sue Wicks, Vickie Johnson and Kym Hampton was ceremonial and motivational, tied to the anniversary of the WNBA’s first game and the Liberty’s franchise history. Players said it helped connect a younger roster to the team’s roots, and Weatherspoon’s message was to play with New York’s trademark toughness. There is no evidence the appearance caused the collapse. The loss came from game factors. New York led by 12 at halftime and by as many as 17 in the third quarter, but Los Angeles rallied and won 98-97 on Nneka Ogwumike’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer. The Sparks also drew energy from their own legends and from the leaguewide 30th-season celebration, so the emotional boost was not one-sided. The “benching of a star player” refers to Sabrina Ionescu being left out of the closing minutes, not a disciplinary move. She had recently returned from injury, scored only 2 points, and struggled offensively. Coach Chris DeMarco went instead with rookie Pauline Astier, who had 17 points off the bench and was giving the Liberty more in that moment. So the simplest answer is that the pregame tribute was symbolic, while the result turned on execution: the Sparks’ comeback, Ogwumike’s late shotmaking, and New York’s decision to ride the hotter lineup rather than Ionescu late.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 22

Four Liberty Ring of Honor recipients — Teresa Weatherspoon, Sue Wicks, Vickie Johnson and Kym Hampton — made a surprise pregame visit Sunday as New York prepared to face the Sparks in Los Angeles.
The appearance marked 29 years since the Liberty beat the Sparks 67-57 in the WNBA's first game on June 21, 1997, giving current players a direct link to the franchise's origins.
Sabrina Ionescu called the moment special, noting not every player knew the former stars well; eight current Liberty players were not yet born when the league began in 1997.
Weatherspoon also delivered a private pep talk, later describing the "New York way" as a blue-collar, never-give-up mindset as the Liberty opened a four-game West Coast swing.