Oct 08,V7N- The New York Liberty have made an impressive return to the WNBA Finals, marking their second consecutive appearance after overcoming the Las Vegas Aces in the semi-finals. This thrilling chapter in their comeback story comes after a period when the team played in a small, 2,100 capacity stadium in the suburbs, but now they are energizing crowds at Brooklyn's Barclays Center.The Liberty, who were the top seed, eliminated the Aces on Sunday, a year after losing to them in the championship.

They will compete for their first title against the winner of the semi-final series between the Connecticut Sun and the Minnesota Lynx. Their success on the court has been mirrored by significant growth in fan engagement, with an average regular-season attendance of 12,729, a 64% increase from the previous year, and a 152% rise in season ticket memberships."This was a brick-by-brick rebuild," stated Keia Clarke, the Liberty's CEO, reflecting on the team's transformation since 2017 when the franchise faced significant challenges, including being sold and relocated to a much smaller venue. Clarke described the team's journey as one of resilience.

The Liberty found new hope when Joe Tsai, founder of the Alibaba Group, and his wife Clara Wu Tsai purchased the team two years later, leading to plans for a move to Brooklyn. General Manager Jonathan Kolb, who joined in 2019, emphasized a "player first" philosophy, investing heavily in player performance and attracting top talent.This strategy paid off with the acquisition of star players like Jonquel Jones, Courtney Vandersloot, and Breanna Stewart ahead of the 2023 season.

Kolb noted that winning the championship would be a well-deserved reward for loyal fans who supported the team through its "nomadic" years, stating, "It would just mean everything."As the Liberty prepare for the finals, they aim to secure their first championship title, capping off a remarkable turnaround for the franchise.

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