NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2016 – Verizon WNBA All-Star 2017 will take place at KeyArena, home of the Seattle Storm, WNBA President Lisa Borders announced today.  The game will be nationally televised by ABC on Saturday, July 22 at 3:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p.m. PT), and will be broadcast globally in more than 200 countries and territories.

Verizon, which became the WNBA leaguewide marquee partner in 2016, will serve as the title partner of the All-Star Game for the first time.  The WNBA’s midseason showcase will be played for the first time in Seattle, which hosted the Storm’s WNBA Finals games in 2004 and 2010.

“As we embark upon the league’s 21^st season, we’re thrilled to bring Verizon WNBA All-Star to Seattle and its great fan base for the first time,” said Borders.  “Historically, the All-Star Game has highlighted the absolute best in our world-class players – from Lisa Leslie’s dunk, to Shoni Schimmel’s otherworldly performance as a rookie, to the record-setting scoring efforts of Candace Parker in 2013 and Maya Moore in 2015 – and this time should only bring more excitement and moments for all to enjoy.”

“It is an honor to bring Verizon WNBA All-Star 2017 to Seattle, for our fans, our team and for this city.  The combination of the city of Seattle and our passionate fanbase will make this the perfect showcase for the best women’s basketball players in the world,” said Alisha Valavanis, Seattle Storm President & General Manager.

For ticket information, fans may visit StormBasketball.com or call the Storm at (206) 217-WNBA.  Current Storm 360 Members and those who purchase new memberships can secure their seats beginning today by calling (206) 217-WNBA.   Individual tickets to Verizon WNBA All-Star 2017 will go on sale in spring 2017.

“We are honored to host the 2017 WNBA All-Star Game, which will bring the best basketball players in the world to the Emerald City,” added Seattle Mayor Ed Murray.  “Seattle is a basketball town, home to the two-time WNBA champion Seattle Storm and last year’s University of Washington women’s Final Four team. We are proud of this tradition and we will look forward to celebrating the WNBA in Seattle next summer.”

“Seattle has the best fans in the WNBA, and I am so proud to be hosting Verizon WNBA All-Star 2017 in our hometown,” said Sue Bird, Seattle’s nine-time WNBA All-Star guard.  “This event celebrates world-class basketball, and there is no other city more deserving than Seattle.”

The most recent WNBA All-Star Game, held in 2015 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., saw the Western Conference defeat the Eastern Conference 117-112.  MVP Maya Moore led the West with an All-Star Game-record 30 points to go with six rebounds and five assists.  The game was highlighted by the final All-Star appearance of WNBA all-time leading rebounder Tamika Catchings, who would go on to retire after the 2016 season.  The WNBA did not have an All-Star Game in 2016 due to the Summer Olympics.