New York Liberty Unveils Groundbreaking Championship Ring Celebrating Team Legacy

Clara Wu Tsai, co-owner of the New York Liberty, alongside team CEO Keia Clarke, approached the design of the franchise’s first-ever championship rings with three clear objectives.

They aimed for the rings to match the size and extravagance of men’s championship rings, reflecting the rising prominence and influence of the WNBA. Yet, they wanted the designs to be distinctly different from men’s rings and to create a historic milestone.

Achieving this balance was no simple task.

Traditionally, championship rings and much sports memorabilia were originally crafted for men and later adjusted—often simply resized or given superficial changes—to fit women. This approach mirrored the familiar pattern in sportswear where women’s versions were downsized or 'pinkified' adaptations of men’s gear.

For years, women’s basketball jerseys were just smaller copies of men’s, despite men’s jerseys featuring oversized armholes that on women appeared as unnecessary openings exposing sports bras. Similar to outdated practices in other sports apparel, it took female athletes questioning these norms to inspire redesigns better suited to women.

Now, a similar shift is occurring with championship rings.

This movement was initially sparked by the Las Vegas Aces, winners of the 2022 and 2023 WNBA Finals, whose rings set a new standard for dazzling design and luxury. Their 2022 ring was noted for having the highest diamond count in WNBA history. However, Clara Wu Tsai sought to elevate this further. Together with her husband, Joe Tsai, owners of both the Liberty and the Brooklyn Nets, she has been intentional in ensuring the women’s team receives equal prestige and recognition comparable to the men’s franchise.