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Seattle Reign: The Legacy of Women’s Sports in the Emerald City

By MOHAI / March 5, 2025

Women’s sports reign in Seattle! Today we know The Seattle Reign as a soccer team, but did you know that the Reign name was used in the 1990s for a different team in Seattle? Explore artifacts from both Seattle Reign teams below.
Seattle Reign souvenir basketball, 1997

MOHAI, 2017.23.2

In the mid-1990s there was a surge in popularity of women’s basketball: the NCAA team the Connecticut Huskies had a perfect 35-0 season, and the United States Women’s basketball team won the gold medal at the 1996 Olympics.

The American Basketball League (ABL) was founded in 1996 and began play that fall with the Seattle Reign as one of the charter member teams. The ABL proved that women’s pro-basketball could be successful and the Seattle Reign were one of the most successful teams in the ABL. The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) formed soon after the ABL and began play in June of 1997.

Seattle Reign poster with autographs, 1998-1999

A poster for the Seattle Reign's 1998-1999 season. It displays cut-out player images on a basketball court design with player names and autographs. Notable signatures include those of Kate Starbird, Shalonda Enis, and Niesa Johnson, along with head coach Tammy Holder.

MOHAI, 2017.23.4

This poster advertises the 1998-1999 season for the Seattle Reign with photos of the players and coaches on a basketball court design. It features signatures from: Tammy Holder, Head Coach; Robin Moore, Athletic Trainer; Kate Starbird, Guard; Astou Ndiaye, Forward/Center; Niesa Johnson, Guard; Shalonda Enis, Forward; Kate Paye, Guard; Christy Hedgpeth, Guard; Angela Aycock, Guard/Forward; and Naomi Mulitauaopele, Forward/Center. The poster also was signed by General Manager Karen Bryant, who is not pictured.

Midway through this season, on December 22, 1998, the ABL suspended operations and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Poor attendance, lack of sponsorship, and competition from the WNBA were all cited as reasons.

"2004 WNBA Champions!" postcard, 2004

A postcard celebrating the Seattle Storm's 2004 WNBA Championship victory. The image features the championship trophy on the left with "2004 WNBA CHAMPIONS!" in bold yellow letters across the center. On the right, there are three smaller images of the team celebrating, including Sue Bird and other players holding the trophy.

MOHAI, Alice Romero and Judith Prinz Ephemera Collection, 2024.48.19.1

Not long after the ABL folded, Seattle was awarded a WNBA team. The Seattle Storm had their inaugural season in 2000, and this postcard is from their first WNBA Championship win in 2004. The Storm have since won three additional championships: 2010, 2018, and 2020. This postcard includes an image of star player Sue Bird, who joined the team in 2002 and was with the team for all four championships.

Seattle Reign FC soccer jersey autographed by players, 2013

Seattle Reign FC blue soccer jersey with white signatures from players across the front.

Seattle Reign FC soccer jersey autographed by players, 2013
MOHAI, 2013.53.1

2012 brought a new Seattle Reign team, this time as an inaugural member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). This signed jersey is from the Reign’s first season in 2013. The roster that year included goalkeeper Hope Solo, captain Keelin Winters, and top scorers Megan Rapinoe and Jessica Fishlock. In 2020 the team became the OL Reign.

Seattle Reign: The Legacy of Women’s Sports in the Emerald City

Seattle Reign poster with autographs, 1998-1999

"2004 WNBA Champions!" postcard, 2004

Seattle Reign FC soccer jersey autographed by players, 2013

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