Our history

The league provides an excellent opportunity for professional players to compete in highly competitive competitions during their “off-season” from overseas schedules, all while ensuring they still earn a living for their passion. Over the last four years, more than five players have made WNBA rosters, demonstrating the league’s high caliber of talent.

The Global Women’s Basketball Association (GWBA) is an exceptionally successful professional basketball league established in the Midwest region of North America. Founded in 2016 by Sonya Nichols, a former Women’s Basketball athlete from James Madison University in Chicago, Illinois, the GWBA has surpassed all expectations and has become a prime destination for elite players to compete, offering an alternative to the WNBA. Sonya’s vision to create a professional league for players to continue their basketball careers post-college has been fully realized. The GWBA currently boasts four top teams in the United States outside of the WNBA, comprised of former local collegiate stars, former WNBA players, and accomplished international players.

The GWBA has experienced tremendous growth in talent and infrastructure and is actively seeking quality owners to continue expanding the league. The Flint Monarchs, Kansas City Crossover, St. Louis Surge, and Wisconsin Glo are the four teams that make up the GWBA for the 2023 season.

The league began in 2016 with the Flint Monarchs, Milwaukee Aces, Akron Innovators, and Illinois Starletz. The Flint Monarchs won the championship in 2016, 2017, and 2018, while the Wisconsin Glo claimed the title in 2019 and 2021.