1998 – Barbie – Women's National Basketball Association – WNBA Barbie – NRFB

Sale price: $95.00
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Regular price: $95.00
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Product Description

The WNBA Was Two Years Old and Mattel Put Barbie on the Court With a Button-Activated Shooting Arm

WNBA Barbie was released in 1998, the year the league completed just its second season — a league that had launched in June 1997 with eight teams, an NBC television deal, and the explicit ambition of building a sustainable professional women's basketball competition from scratch. Mattel putting Barbie in a WNBA jersey with a functioning hoop was a genuinely significant piece of mainstream visibility for a league still proving it could survive its first decade.

The press button in the doll's back makes her arm swing to actually shoot and pass — a mechanism Mattel used selectively on sports dolls when the sport in question had a specific action worth reproducing — and the endorsement by Rebecca Lobo of the New York Liberty anchors the doll in a specific moment of WNBA history: Lobo was one of the founding faces of the league and one of its most recognisable players in those early years.

Manufacturer: Mattel
Country of manufacture: China
Model #: #20205

Melody Likes box condition grade: Excellent — View our box condition guide.

Delivery & Returns

🚚 Delivery Information

Orders are dispatched within 2-3 business days. Please allow additional time during: Sale events, holiday periods and large restock weeks.

We ship Monday–Thursday only.

📦 Shipping Rates

Parcels under 500g
$10 flat rate nationwide

📏 Please note: shipping cost is based on weight and parcel dimensions. Some smaller items may exceed the flat rate due to their size.

Parcels over 500g
Auckland Flat Rate: $19 | 2–3 business days
Bay of Plenty & Waikato Flat Rate: $13 | 1–3 business days

Rest of North Island from $17 | 2–3 business days
South Island from $22 | 3–5 business days

Rural Customers
An additional $5 charge is applied to all rural orders.

🔁 Returns

All items are vintage, pre-loved, or collectible unless stated otherwise. Please review all photos and descriptions carefully before purchasing.

We do not accept returns for:
• Change of mind
• Incorrect choice
• Minor wear consistent with age
• Buyer damage

Read more about our Return and Refund Policy

Buying Vintage

Buying Vintage at Melody Likes

Every vintage piece in our shop is photographed exactly as it is — what you see in the images is what you will receive.

Our photos are part of the product description, so please take the time to review them carefully before purchasing.

All items are sold in the condition described and shown. These are real pieces with real history, and we think that's part of what makes them special.

📦 Carded & Boxed Items
Vintage packaging can show its age — you may see card yellowing, corner wear, bubble discolouration or light crushing, and sticker residue. The item inside is typically untouched. What you see is what you get.

🤖 Loose Figures & Playsets
Loose vintage figures and playsets may show paint wear, light scuffing, or minor marks from years of storage or play. Accessories are noted in the listing — if it isn't mentioned, it's not included.

🧸 Plush & Soft Toys
Vintage plush can show pile flattening, light colour fade, or gentle wear at seams and features. We note any significant issues in the listing, and our photos show the piece as it truly is.

📚 Books & Paper Goods
Paper ages beautifully — but it does age. Vintage books may show spine wear, light browning, or minor cover scuffs. Any notable marks or damage are called out in the listing description.

✨ Modern Collectibles
Modern collectibles are described with the same care and accuracy as our vintage items. As a recent release, stock or manufacturer imagery may be used in place of personal photography — this will always be noted in the listing.