WNBA Champions Turn to Obamas as White House Celebration Unlikely

It’s been a long-standing tradition for championship teams in the U.S. to visit the White House and meet the president. These visits typically happen during the following season, often timed to coincide with a road game against a D.C.-based team.

The New York Liberty, who won the 2024 WNBA title, were scheduled to play the Washington Mystics in D.C. twice within their first eight games. On Tuesday, while at their hotel in the D.C. metro area, the team appeared to notice Liberty owners Joe Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai waiting for someone, according to Madeline Kenney of the New York Post.

At that point, former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama entered the room as the players and staff "rose to their feet and cheered."

The Obamas and Liberty then shared a meal and had the chance to get to know each other. After practice on Wednesday, star forward Breanna Stewart told Kenney it was "way more intimate" than a White House visit.

"It was amazing,” Stewart said. "I’ve been to the White House when I won in college and stuff like that, but this was way more intimate."

It's unclear who set up the meeting, but it's worth noting Kenney said "an invite to the White House to celebrate their ... WNBA title doesn't seem likely."