History of Las Vegas Aces in Timeline

The Las Vegas Aces are a professional women's basketball team in the WNBA, representing the Las Vegas metropolitan area. Playing their home games at Michelob Ultra Arena, they are headquartered in Henderson, Nevada. The Aces have achieved significant success, winning the 2022 WNBA Commissioner's Cup and the 2022 WNBA Championship. They further solidified their dominance by winning the 2023 WNBA Championship, marking the first back-to-back championship victory since 2001-2002.

1997: Worst Record in the WNBA

In 1997, the Utah Starzz held the distinction of having the worst record in the WNBA.

1997: Team Founded as Utah Starzz

In 1997, the team was founded in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was named the Utah Starzz, joining the league's inaugural season.

1998: First Pick in the WNBA Draft

In 1998, the Utah Starzz had the first pick in the WNBA draft and selected Margo Dydek.

1999: Finished Near Bottom of League

In the 1999 season, the Utah Starzz again finished near the bottom of the league.

2000: Posted a Winning Record

In 2000, the Utah Starzz posted a winning record, but did not make the playoffs.

2001: Los Angeles Sparks Back-to-Back Championship

In 2001, the Los Angeles Sparks began their back-to-back WNBA Championship run, which the Aces would repeat in 2023.

2001: Made Playoffs for the First Time

In 2001, the Utah Starzz made it to the playoffs for the first time, but were swept in the first round.

2002: Sale to Peter Holt and Relocation to San Antonio

At the end of the 2002 season, the Utah Jazz ownership did not wish to retain ownership of the Starzz. The franchise was sold to Peter Holt and relocated to San Antonio, becoming the San Antonio Silver Stars.

2002: Los Angeles Sparks Back-to-Back Championship

In 2002, the Los Angeles Sparks completed their back-to-back WNBA Championship run, a feat later matched by the Aces in 2023.

2002: Playoff Run Ended in Western Finals

In 2002, the Utah Starzz made it to the playoffs again, beat the Houston Comets in the Western Conference Semifinals, but were swept aside by the Los Angeles Sparks in the Western Finals.

2003: Continued Losing Trend

For the first four seasons (2003–2006) after moving to San Antonio, the franchise was unable to change its old losing trend and did not make the playoffs.

2003: Relocation to San Antonio

In 2003, the Utah Starzz relocated to San Antonio, Texas, becoming the San Antonio Silver Stars.

2006: Continued Losing Trend

For the first four seasons (2003–2006) after moving to San Antonio, the franchise was unable to change its old losing trend and did not make the playoffs.

August 4, 2007: Clinched Playoff Berth

On August 4, 2007, the San Antonio Silver Stars clinched their first playoff berth since relocating to San Antonio in 2003.

September 1, 2007: Season Ended in Western Conference Finals

On September 1, 2007, the San Antonio Silver Stars' season came to an end after losing Game 2 in Phoenix against the Mercury in the Western Conference Finals.

2008: WNBA Finals Appearance and Loss

In 2008, the Silver Stars reached the WNBA Finals but lost to the Detroit Shock in Game 1 at home.

2010: Lost in the First Round of Playoffs

In 2010, the Silver Stars finished with a 14–20 record and were swept in the first round of the playoffs by Phoenix.

2012: Lost in the First Round of Playoffs

In the 2012 playoffs, the Silver Stars lost in the first round to the Los Angeles Sparks.

2013: Missed Playoffs

In 2013, the San Antonio Stars missed the playoffs.

2014: Team Name Shortened

In 2014, the San Antonio Silver Stars shortened their name to the San Antonio Stars.

2014: Lost in the First Round of Playoffs

In the 2014 playoffs, the San Antonio Stars lost in the first round to the Minnesota Lynx.

October 17, 2017: Sale Approved and Relocation Announced

On October 17, 2017, the NBA and WNBA approved the sale of the San Antonio Stars to MGM Resorts, with the intention of relocating the team to Las Vegas.

December 11, 2017: Team Name Announced as Las Vegas Aces

On December 11, 2017, the team name was officially announced as the Las Vegas Aces at a press conference inside the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

2018: Received First Pick in WNBA Draft

In 2018, the Las Vegas Aces received the first pick in the WNBA Draft and selected A'ja Wilson.

2018: Relocation to Las Vegas

In 2018, the San Antonio Stars relocated to Las Vegas and became the Las Vegas Aces.

2020: WNBA Finals Appearance

In 2020, the Aces reached the WNBA Finals but lost to the Seattle Storm.

January 14, 2021: Mark Davis Agrees to Purchase Team

On January 14, 2021, Mark Davis and his mother Carol agreed to purchase the Las Vegas Aces from MGM.

February 12, 2021: Purchase Approved by the League

On February 12, 2021, the purchase of the Las Vegas Aces by Mark Davis was approved by the WNBA league.

May 2021: Nikki Fargas Hired as Team President

In May 2021, Nikki Fargas was hired as team president of the Las Vegas Aces.

December 31, 2021: Becky Hammon Hired as Head Coach

On December 31, 2021, Becky Hammon was hired as head coach of the Las Vegas Aces, becoming the highest-paid coach in the WNBA.

2022: Won First Championship

During the 2022 season, the Aces won their first championship, defeating the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA Finals.

2022: WNBA Finals Win

In 2022, the Aces won the WNBA Finals against the Connecticut Sun.

2022: 2022 WNBA Commissioner's Cup and WNBA Championship

In 2022, the Las Vegas Aces won both the WNBA Commissioner's Cup and the WNBA Championship.

March 23, 2023: Tom Brady Purchases Minority Stake

On March 23, 2023, it was announced that Tom Brady had purchased a minority stake in the Las Vegas Aces.

April 2023: Training Facility Completed

In April 2023, the Aces' training facility in Henderson was completed.

2023: WNBA Finals Win

In 2023, the Aces won the WNBA Finals against the New York Liberty.

2023: 2023 WNBA Championship

In 2023, the Las Vegas Aces secured their second consecutive WNBA Championship, marking the first back-to-back championship win since 2001-2002.

March 6, 2024: Debuted New Uniforms and Color Scheme

On March 6, 2024, the Las Vegas Aces debuted new uniforms and a new silver and black color scheme matching that of Davis's other team the Raiders.

May 17, 2024: $100,000 Sponsorship per Player

On May 17, 2024, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) announced that they would be gifting each player on the 2024 Aces roster a $100,000 sponsorship, which is independent of the Aces organization.