The Los Angeles Sparks will honor Hall of Fame player Lisa Leslie with a permanent statue outside Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles [1].

The monument recognizes Leslie's role as a pioneer for women's professional basketball and her dominance during her tenure with the Sparks. As the first player from the franchise to be honored with a statue at the venue, the installation cements her legacy in the city where she spent her entire professional career [3].

Leslie's career is marked by significant achievements on both the club and international stages. She led the Sparks to two WNBA championships [2] and earned three MVP awards during her time in the league [3]. Her international success is equally prominent, including the acquisition of four Olympic gold medals [3].

The statue ceremony was scheduled for Sept. 20, 2024 [4]. The event serves as a formal recognition of her contributions to the growth of the WNBA and the visibility of women's sports in the U.S.

By placing the monument outside Crypto.com Arena, the organization ensures that Leslie's impact remains visible to fans of multiple sports. The decision follows a trend of professional sports franchises immortalizing legendary figures to preserve team history, and inspire future generations of athletes.

“The first Sparks star with a statue outside Crypto.com Arena.”

The installation of Lisa Leslie's statue represents a significant shift in how women's sports legacies are physically memorialized in major U.S. cities. By granting Leslie the same prestige as male legends at a multi-purpose venue like Crypto.com Arena, the Sparks and the city of Los Angeles are formally acknowledging that the historical impact of women's athletics is equal in value to that of men's professional sports.