Ayrton Oneill
The Las Vegas Aces are a professional basketball team based in Nevada. They compete in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as part of the Western Conference. The Aces have experienced recent success, winning back-to-back WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023, the first team to do so since 2001-2002. With a rich history of trades and an impressive roster, the Aces play their home games at the Michelob Ultra Arena, selling out at 12,000 spectators.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Las Vegas Aces |
| Sport | Basketball |
| League | Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) |
| Conference | Western Conference |
| Home Games Arena | Michelob Ultra Arena, T-Mobile Arena |
| Headquarters | Henderson, Nevada |
| 2022 Season | WNBA Commissioner's Cup and WNBA Championship winner |
| 2023 Season | WNBA Championship winner |
| Founding Place and Year | Salt Lake City, Utah, 1997 |
| Previous Names | Utah Starzz, San Antonio Silver Stars, San Antonio Stars |
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What You'll Learn
Las Vegas Aces: Team History
The Las Vegas Aces are an American professional basketball team based in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. They compete in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as part of the Western Conference. The Aces play their home games at Michelob Ultra Arena in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino and are headquartered in Henderson, Nevada.
The team was founded in 1997 as the Utah Starzz and was based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The franchise's inaugural owner was businessman Larry H. Miller, who also owned the Utah Jazz of the NBA. In 2003, the team moved to San Antonio, Texas, and became the San Antonio Silver Stars, later shortened to the San Antonio Stars in 2014. The team was then sold to MGM Resorts in 2017, with the intention of relocating to Las Vegas and playing at the Michelob Ultra Arena starting in the 2018 season. On December 11, 2017, the team name was officially changed to the Las Vegas Aces.
The Aces have had a successful run in the WNBA, reaching the playoffs four times during their time in San Antonio. They continued this success in Las Vegas, winning the 2022 WNBA Commissioner's Cup and their first WNBA Championship in 2022. They successfully defended their title in 2023, becoming the first team to win back-to-back championships since 2001-2002. The Aces have been home to many notable players, including Becky Hammon, Sophia Young, Ann Wauters, and A'ja Wilson, who won the Rookie of the Year award in 2018.
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The Aces' Home Stadium
The Las Vegas Aces, a professional basketball team based in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, play their home games at the Michelob Ultra Arena. The arena is located in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, and the team's headquarters are in Henderson, Nevada. The Michelob Ultra Arena has a capacity of 12,000 for basketball games and has been the home of the Aces since 2018.
The team's training facility, which is located next to the Raiders facility in Henderson, is a 50,000-square-foot complex. It is the first facility built solely for the use of a WNBA team and includes a practice facility, offices, training and weight rooms, hydrotherapy and physical therapy areas, locker rooms, a lecture hall, player and alumni lounges, and an on-site daycare center.
The Aces have a multiyear agreement with Scripps Sports to make Vegas 34 their official broadcast home. The team is owned by Mark and Carol Davis, who also own the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders, and Tom Brady, a former NFL quarterback who purchased a minority stake in the team in 2023.
The Las Vegas Aces have had a successful run in recent years, winning back-to-back WNBA Championships in 2022 and 2023, becoming the first team to do so since 2001-2002. They defeated the Connecticut Sun in the 2022 WNBA Finals to win their first franchise championship and the first professional sports championship for Las Vegas.
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Recent Trades
On January 27, 2025, the Las Vegas Aces made a blockbuster three-team trade with the Los Angeles Sparks and Seattle Storm. As part of the deal, the Aces acquired six-time All-Star and Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd, while sending Aces guard Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks. The Storm, as the third team involved, received the No. 2 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, forward Li Yueru from the Sparks, and Las Vegas' 2026 first-round pick. The Sparks also received draft picks, including the No. 9 pick in 2025 and a 2026 second-round pick from Seattle, while the Aces obtained the No. 13 pick in 2025 from the Sparks.
This trade marked the first time in league history that a trade involved multiple No. 1 overall picks. It also signalled the end of Kelsey Plum's time in Las Vegas, where she was part of the championship-winning core. Plum joined the Sparks on a one-year deal and is expected to be a free agent in 2026, along with the majority of WNBA players, including Loyd, due to the upcoming new collective bargaining agreement.
Jewell Loyd, a six-time All-Star and the WNBA scoring leader in 2023, will bolster the Aces' roster and strengthen their bid for a championship. Loyd will join forces with three-time MVP Wilson, three-time All-Star Young, and 2022 Finals MVP Gray, creating a formidable lineup for the Aces. The trade benefits all three teams involved, with the Sparks acquiring a talented guard in Plum, the Storm gaining valuable draft picks and the Aces welcoming a proven scorer and All-Star player in Loyd.
The Aces, coming off a disappointing end to their season, will be eager to integrate Loyd into their system and make a strong push for the championship. With their improved roster and the addition of Loyd's scoring prowess, the Aces are poised to be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming WNBA season. This trade demonstrates the Aces' commitment to strengthening their lineup and their pursuit of becoming a dominant force in the league.
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Sponsorships
The Las Vegas Aces are a professional basketball team competing in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). They are the reigning champions of the WNBA, having won back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023.
In May 2024, the Las Vegas Aces made headlines when the team's 12 players were offered a $100,000 sponsorship deal each by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) and its president and CEO, Steve Hill. This offer was presented directly to the players in their locker room at Michelob Ultra Arena, causing a stir in the WNBA. The deal, worth $25,000 per month over a four-month WNBA season, aimed to capitalise on the excitement surrounding women's basketball and promote Las Vegas.
The sponsorships were proposed by Matt Matzen, chief marketing officer of R&R Partners, a public relations and marketing firm. While the agreements were not finalised immediately, with the players yet to receive funds, the Aces organisation was informed the night before the offers were unveiled. This move by the LVCVA sparked an investigation by the WNBA, which hired the law firm Kobre and Kim LLP to look into the matter. The investigation centred on potential violations of the WNBA's collective bargaining agreement, which prohibits third parties from paying players for "basketball services."
Despite the ongoing investigation, the Aces' sponsorships were reported to be progressing. LVCVA CEO Steve Hill expressed his belief that tying the sponsorship payouts to the length of the WNBA season should not be an issue. He also emphasised that the sponsorships were about promoting Las Vegas and its offerings. Additionally, Hill mentioned that waived veteran player Emma Cannon would still receive a "decent payout" from the deal.
The Las Vegas Aces have also secured other sponsorships, such as their multi-year agreement with Scripps Sports, which made Vegas 34 the official broadcast home for the team during their back-to-back championship seasons in 2022 and 2023.
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Recent Achievements
The Las Vegas Aces are a professional basketball team based in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. They compete in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as part of the Western Conference. The Aces have achieved notable success in recent years, becoming back-to-back WNBA champions in 2022 and 2023.
In 2022, the Las Vegas Aces clinched the WNBA Commissioner's Cup, showcasing their dominance in the league. They followed this up with an impressive performance in the 2023 season, becoming the first team to secure consecutive championships since the Los Angeles Sparks achieved this feat in 2001-2002. This accomplishment solidified their place as a powerhouse in the WNBA.
The Aces have also been active in player trades and draft picks to strengthen their roster. In February 2018, they made trades with Indiana Fever and Phoenix Mercury, acquiring Kelsey Bone. In May 2019, they traded for Liz Cambage from the Dallas Wings. The Aces continued to make strategic moves, trading for draft picks and players like Amanda Zahui B in the following years. These roster adjustments contributed to their successful campaigns.
In recognition of their achievements, the Las Vegas Aces signed a multiyear agreement with Scripps Sports in 2022-2023, securing Vegas 34 as the official broadcast home for the back-to-back champions. Additionally, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) announced a significant sponsorship deal for the 2024 Aces roster, further demonstrating the team's popularity and impact.
The team's recent accomplishments have not only brought pride to Las Vegas but have also contributed to the growth and recognition of women's basketball. The Aces' success has inspired and engaged fans, solidifying their place as a prominent force in the WNBA. With their dedication, strategic roster moves, and consistent performance, the Las Vegas Aces continue to be a team to reckon with in the league.
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Frequently asked questions
The Las Vegas Aces are ranked first in the Western Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), having won back-to-back WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023.
The team joined the WNBA in 1997 under the name
The Las Vegas Aces play their home games at the Michelob Ultra Arena in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, with a sellout crowd of 12,000.
The Las Vegas Aces have had many talented players over the years. Some key players include Kayla Alexander, Kelsey Bone, Liz Cambage, and Dearica Hamby, who was traded in 2023.
Aside from their back-to-back WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023, the Las Vegas Aces also won the 2022 WNBA Commissioner's Cup. They were the first team to win consecutive championships since the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001-2002.
