Women’s athletics exploded in popularity during the 1970s, thanks in no small part to Congress passing Title IX legislation in 1972. This legislation, which prohibited discrimination based on gender in federally funded sports programs, was a significant milestone for women’s sports. It increased participation in women’s sports by more than 400 percent over the next several years and paved the way for the formation of professional women’s sports leagues.

As the 1970s drew to a close, a pioneering spirit was in the air. The first-ever women’s professional basketball league, the WBL, was formed by a visionary talent scout named Bill Byrne. He astutely observed the burgeoning popularity of women’s college basketball and seized the moment to elevate the game to the professional level.

Byrne’s strategic move to generate excitement for the league was a masterstroke. He dispatched thousands of brochures about the league and invitations to the first game to high-profile individuals across Milwaukee, the chosen venue. The result was a resounding success, with nearly 8,000 people eagerly attending the inaugural match.

The league started with eight teams, and the Milwaukee Does were chosen to host the first game. They had a professional arena already used to host NBA games, and Milwaukee was supposed to be a basketball town. They faced off against the Chicago Hustle. Chicago won in a close 92-87 match.

Despite the WBL’s short lifespan, its legacy lives on. The league, which unfortunately disbanded after a few years due to financial constraints, was a beacon of inspiration and influence. Its brief but impactful existence paved the way for more prosperous women’s professional basketball leagues, such as the WNBA, to emerge in the future.