UpShot League
| Sport | Women's basketball |
|---|---|
| Founded | January 27, 2025 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
| Founder | Zawyer Sports & Entertainment |
| First season | 2026 |
| Commissioner | Donna Orender |
| Motto | "To UP everyone's shot." |
| No. of teams | 4 |
| Country | United States |
| Headquarters | 3605 Philips Hwy, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
| Continent | North America |
| Official website | UpShotLeague.com |
| 2026–27 | |
The UpShot League is a professional women's basketball league in the United States.[1] Former WNBA president Donna Orender will serve as the commissioner of the league.[2]
The league is set to begin play in May 2026. The UpShot League’s regular-season schedule will consist of 40 games, including 20 at home and 20 on the road.
History
Launch
On January 27, 2025, Zawyer Sports & Entertainment CEO Andy Kaufmann, who also operates professional teams such as the Jacksonville Icemen and Savannah Ghost Pirates, announced the creation of a new women's basketball league. Jacksonville, Florida, was the first—and, at the time, only—city confirmed to have a team, with others planned to follow. All team names would be suggested by fans.[3]
That same day, the league's initial investors were announced. The group included Women's Basketball Hall of Fame inductees Cheryl Miller and Ann Meyers Drysdale (formerly an executive with the WNBA and the NBA, respectively); former World Boxing Association champion Seniesa Estrada; Florida Gators men's basketball alumnus and Jacksonville native Patric Young and his PY4 Foundation; as well as actress Annie Q. Riegel and her husband, Chris.[3] On October 1, the Jacksonville team was publicly revealed as the "Waves."[4]
Kaufmann has expressed high expectations for the league's level of play, stating that "some first-round draft picks in next year's WNBA Draft [would be] actually playing here in Jacksonville," and noting that "there's just not enough roster spots [in the WNBA] right now. It'll be a nice mix."[4]
The following day, January 28, the league announced its second team, based in Savannah, Georgia.[5] On September 30, the Savannah team name was revealed as the "Steel."[6]
In response to news of the city's new team, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said, "Savannah enjoys basketball, and for us, having a women’s professional team here is exciting for us for a variety of reasons... this warms my heart, and has me excited about the future for our city."[6]
On January 29, a third team, based in Greensboro, North Carolina, was announced. The team name, the "Groove," was revealed on October 10. They will play at the Novant Health Fieldhouse, home to the Charlotte Hornets' NBA G League affiliate, Greensboro Swarm.[7][8]
The league announced on January 30 a fourth team, which was set to play in Charlotte, North Carolina. Its name, the "Crown," referencing the city's nickname “The Queen City,” was revealed on October 9.[9][10][11]
The league announced the opening matches for each team on December 8, 2025, with the season scheduled to begin on May 15, 2026.[12][13]
The league announced two open tryouts for women interested in joining. The tryouts, which were open to players with collegiate basketball experience, were held on March 1 and March 15, 2026, at Novant Health Fieldhouse in Greensboro, North Carolina, and at Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) South Campus in Jacksonville, Florida, respectively.[14]
In mid-February 2026, the four teams announced their full season schedules. The season will run from May to August.[15]
Expansion
Later in 2025, on November 20, the league's first expansion team was announced. They will play in Baltimore, Maryland.[16]
Greg Resh, who will be acting as Governor for UpShot Baltimore said, "I am humbled to be part of this amazing team who will be bringing a special league, team and players to Baltimore, my home town. Women's sports are exploding with excitement, enthusiasm and participation, the UpShot Baltimore franchise will be at the center of this movement."[16]
Teams
The inaugural season will feature four teams, all based in the Southeastern United States.[11]
| Team | Location | Venue | Cap | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte Crown | Charlotte, NC | Bojangles Coliseum | 8,600 | 2026–27 |
| Greensboro Groove | Greensboro, NC | Novant Health Fieldhouse | 2,118 | 2026–27 |
| Jacksonville Waves | Jacksonville, FL | VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena | 14,091 | 2026–27 |
| Savannah Steel | Savannah, GA | Enmarket Arena | 7,485 | 2026–27 |
| Team | Location | Venue | Cap | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | Catonsville, MD | Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena | 5,500 | 2027–28[16] |
Timeline
Operations
The UpShot League is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and is operated by Zawyer Sports & Entertainment.[17]
Key personnel
- Andy Kaufmann, CEO of Zawyer Sports & Entertainment
- Donna Orender, Commissioner
- Taj McWilliams-Franklin, VP of Basketball Operations
Initial investors
- Cheryl Miller, Women's Basketball Hall of Famer
- Ann Meyers Drysdale, Women's Basketball Hall of Famer and former WNBA/NBA executive
- Seniesa Estrada, Former WBA boxing champion
- Patric Young, Former Florida Gators men's basketball player & PY4 Foundation
- Annie Q. Riegel, American actress, and her husband, Chris, American film producer
References
- ^ "Upshot League". Retrieved 2025-05-04.
- ^ "Professional Women's Development Basketball Team Coming to Charlotte, as part of New 'UPSHOT League' | Upshot League". Retrieved 2025-05-04.
- ^ a b Bonts, Mike. "Zawyer Sports Announces New Basketball League". JacksonvilleSportsToday.com. Wordpress. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ a b "Jacksonville Waves, new women's basketball squad, introduce first head coach". FirstCoastNews.com. First Coast News. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ Roberts, Jeff. "New professional women's basketball team coming to Savannah as founding member of UpShot League". WTOC.com. WTOC. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ a b West, Rachel. "New Savannah professional women's basketball team announces name, logo, and head coach". WTOC.com. WTOC. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ Mull, Malea. "Professional women's basketball is coming to Greensboro in 2026". SpectrumLocalNews.com. Spectrum News 1. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ Allman, Megan. "UPSHOT Women's Basketball League unveils new Greensboro team name and head coach". WFMYNews2.com. WFMY. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ Tucker, Luke. "Charlotte gets pro women's basketball team amid launch of new league". WBTV.com. WBTV. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ Ruder, Miles. "Charlotte to welcome a professional women's basketball team as part of new 'UPSHOT League'". WCCBCharlotte.com. WCCB Charlotte. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ a b Mahoney, Ashley. "Charlotte's new pro women's basketball team reveals name and head coach". Axios.com. Axios. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ Williams, Dave. "Countdown to Tip-Off: Inaugural games announced for Savannah Steel women's basketball team". WJCL.com. Hearst Television. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
- ^ "The dates are set. A new season brings new opportunities as our communities rise together. Players shine, fans connect, and joy multiplies in every arena. The Future is UP!🏀". X.com. UPSHOT League. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
- ^ Dorsch, Eric (10 February 2026). "UPSHOT League announces tryouts for upcoming women's basketball season". Sports.Yahoo.com. Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
- ^ Freeman, Clayton (16 February 2026). "Jacksonville Waves women's basketball announces inaugural schedule". Jacksonville.com. The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
- ^ a b c Ahearn, Cale. "UPSHOT League announces new Baltimore professional women's basketball team". FoxBaltimore.com. Fox 5 News. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ^ Freeman, Clayton (January 27, 2025). "Upshot: Jacksonville to welcome new professional women's basketball league". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
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