The UpShot League (often stylized as UPSHOT or Upshot) is a professional women's basketball league in the United States. Former WNBA president Donna Orender serves as the commissioner of the league.

The league is scheduled to begin play on May 15, 2026, with four inaugural teams. The UpShot League's regular-season schedule will consist of 34 games, including 17 at home and 17 on the road. The league has announced plans to hold a player draft following the 2027 WNBA draft.

History

Launch

On January 27, 2025, Zawyer Sports & Entertainment CEO Andy Kaufmann announced the creation of the UpShot League, a professional women's basketball league based in the southeastern United States to provide opportunities for players unable to secure WNBA roster spots.

Clockwise from top left: Cheryl Miller; Ann Meyers Drysdale; Patric Young; Annie Q. Riegel

Early investors included Cheryl Miller, Ann Meyers Drysdale, Seniesa Estrada, Patric Young, and Annie Q. Riegel. In March 2026, Tamika Catchings joined the league as an advisor and investor.

The league established inaugural franchises in Jacksonville, Savannah, Greensboro, and Charlotte for its 2026 debut season. The teams were later named the Waves, Steel, Groove, and Crown, respectively.

Inaugural season build-up

The league announced its inaugural game would be played May 15, 2026 between the Jacksonville Waves and Charlotte Crown.

Jasmine Walker (left) and Asia "AD" Durr (right), two of the league's inaugural signees

Ahead of its inaugural season, the league announced its first player signings. The group featured former WNBA first-round picks Jasmine Walker and Asia "AD" Durr, as well as Lindsey Pulliam, Amiya Joyner, Que Morrison, and Schaquilla Nunn. The league also held regional tryouts.

In May 2026, the league announced sponsorship agreements with sporting goods manufacturer Molten and Shaquille O'Neal's Dunkman brand, which would produce league uniforms.

Expansion

In November 2025, the league's first expansion team was announced. They will play in Baltimore, Maryland. A second expansion team, to play in Nashville, Tennessee, was announced in April 2026.

Kaufmann announced in May 2026 that the expansion plan was to reach further than the southeastern United States and to include up to 30 teams. He said, "2027, looking at six to eight teams. 2028, ten to twelve teams, and on and on we go on our way to thirty teams."

Teams

Map
Location of UpShot League teams: Current Expansion

As of 2026, the league feature four teams, all based in the southeastern United States.

UpShot League teams
TeamLocationVenueCapFirst
Charlotte CrownCharlotte, NCBojangles Coliseum8,6002026
Greensboro GrooveGreensboro, NCNovant Health Fieldhouse2,1182026
Jacksonville WavesJacksonville, FLVyStar Veterans Memorial Arena14,0912026
Savannah SteelSavannah, GAEnmarket Arena7,4852026
Future UpShot League teams
TeamLocationVenueCapFirst
BaltimoreCatonsville, MDChesapeake Employers Insurance Arena5,5002027
NashvilleNashville, TNMemorial Gymnasium14,3162027

Timeline

Operations

The UpShot League is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and is operated by Zawyer Sports & Entertainment.

In May 2026, league officials stated that the organization had secured $40 million in investment commitments from approximately 90 investors and financial partners ahead of its debut season. Kaufmann stated that the league's revenue model would rely primarily on sponsorships and ticket sales rather than media-rights agreements and merchandise revenue.

From left to right: Orender (center) and McWilliams-Franklin

Key personnel

Investors

External links