On September 5, 1979, Ann Meyers of UCLA shattered a barrier that had stood untouched in professional basketball: she became the first woman to sign a contract with an NBA team.
Though she ultimately didn’t make the Indiana Pacers’ final roster, her presence at training camp marked a seismic moment in sports history—one that continues to resonate nearly half a century later.
Meyers was no ordinary athlete. By the time she graduated from UCLA, she had already earned four Kodak All-American honors, led the Bruins to a national championship, and become the first player in NCAA history—male or female—to record a quadruple-double. She was also the first woman to receive a full athletic scholarship from UCLA and had won a silver medal with Team USA at the 1976 Olympics.
So when Pacers owner Sam Nassi offered her a $50,000 contract and an invitation to rookie camp, Meyers didn’t hesitate. She joined the team at Butler University’s Hinkle Fieldhouse, determined to prove she belonged.
Meyers wasn’t treated as a novelty—she was treated as a competitor. Under head coach Slick Leonard, she survived the first round of cuts and practiced alongside NBA hopefuls for several days. Leonard, initially skeptical, later praised her performance:
“She was better. We had a bunch of guys come in trying out and she was better than a whole bunch of them,” he told the Indy Star.
Though she was eventually released, Leonard emphasized that the decision was based on basketball, not gender:
“I cut her just like any other player. I felt bad about it. She really did do a great job. I was proud of her.”
Meyers’ tryout wasn’t universally celebrated. Critics dismissed it as a publicity stunt, and some teammates and media figures questioned the seriousness of the move. But Meyers never backed down. She saw the opportunity not just as a personal challenge, but as a chance to open doors for women in sports.
“I didn’t want to be just one of the guys,” Meyers said. “I wanted to be better than them.”
Though her NBA dream didn’t materialize, Meyers went on to have a storied career in broadcasting and front-office leadership. She became a vice president for the Phoenix Suns and general manager of the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. She was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.
Her courage and conviction in 1979 helped redefine what was possible for women in sports—and her legacy continues to inspire athletes across generations.
