The New York Liberty is based in New York City, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The team was one of the eight original franchises of the league. The team is owned by Madison Square Garden, who also owns the Liberty's NBA counterpart, the New York Knicks. The Liberty has qualified for the WNBA Playoffs in ten of its fourteen years in New York. The franchise has been home to many well-known players; Teresa Weatherspoon, Becky Hammon, Leilani Mitchell, Essence Carson and Cappie Pondexter. In 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2002, the Liberty went to the WNBA Finals but lost in three attempts to Houston and in one in 2002 to Los Angeles. They have the most appearances in the WNBA Finals without a championship.