The WNBA’s roster crunch was on everybody’s lips last year as players kept getting injured. The league had 200+ injuries and teams had to sign multiple developmental contracts to keep afloat. So, to solve this problem, the new CBA has forced teams to carry 12 players while adding 2 developmental spots. However, there are still multiple players getting waived and having to go international to play their basketball. To give these players an opportunity, a new league has emerged: The Upshot League.
It is backed by multiple high-profile former WNBA players, including Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings. Let’s dive in and understand all the fans need to know about this new league.
Who Are The Prominent Owners Of The Upshot League?
Upshot is a new women’s basketball league led by commissioner Donna Orender, who served as WNBA president from 2005–2010. Andy Kaufmann, CEO of Zawyer Sports, and Orender founded it.
Upshot has lined up about $40 million in committed capital and more than 90 investors and partners ahead of launch. Hall of Famers Tamika Catchings, Cheryl Miller and Ann Meyers Drysdale have signed on as investors and advisors.
“I’m so excited to join the Upshot League alongside Cheryl and Ann, two of the most influential people in our sport,” Catchings told reporters when she joined the ownership group. “There are so many talented players and I’m proud to be a part of the effort to create new opportunities for them. I can’t wait to officially kick off the season in May.”
Is The Upshot League Collaborating With the WNBA?
No. The Upshot League is not related to the WNBA, for now. However, the league has been in contact with the WNBA since its very early stages of development. Orender said she hopes to partner with the best league in the world in the future.
“I think that they are very focused on all the right things right now to build their business. And we’re here looking forward to, you know, having those conversations and figuring out the things we can do together,” Orender told FOS.
Orender rephrased thelabel of being a developmental league. “We call ourselves an opportunity league,” Orender said. “I don’t care what level you’re at, be it the best player in the WNBA, you’re still going to want to develop. So we see ourselves as a place of opportunity.” So while it wants to fill the demand of the lack of a ‘G League’ for the WNBA, the league does not want to add it in their portfolio for now.
How Many Teams Does The Upshot League Have In 2026?
The Upshot League has 4 teams in 2026, but the ownership anticipates rapid expansion. Two additional expansion teams are scheduled to join the league next year in Baltimore and Nashville, and Orender expects to announce more teams soon. “We think we’ll have 12 teams in three years and overall, we anticipate building up a 30-market league,” Orender said.
What Are The Squads For the Upshot League In 2026?
The following are the rosters of the four teams in the Upshot League:
Charlotte Crown
AD Durr
Quinzia Fulmore
LeLe Grissett
Deja Kelly
Dazia Lawrence
Diamond McDowell
Emer Nichols
Reagan Richardson
Jasmine Roberts
Eboni Walker
Chloe Welch
Savannah Steel
Olivia Cochran
Ariel Colón
Megan McConnell
Iyana Moore
Que Morrison
Lasha Petree
Kharyssa Richardson
Sydney Shaw
Zee Spearman
Lauryn Taylor
Harmoni Turner
Greensboro Groove
Tayanna Jones Bell
Maria Gakdeng
Mya Hollingshed
Diamond Johnson
Sahara Jones
Amiya Joyner
Kamaria McDaniel
Sonya Morris
Tai’Sheka Porchia
Jessica Timmons
Christyn Williams
Jacksonville Waves
Adut Bulgak
Rennia Davis
Emma Von Essen
Madison Griggs
Ariel Hearn
Khayla Pointer
Lindsey Pulliam
Shyanne Sellers
Taylor Soule
Brianna Turnage
Jasmine Walker
Where and When to Watch the Upshot League in 2026?
The league will run from May to September, the same time as the 2026 WNBA season. The four teams will play 34 regular-season games. On May 21st, Charlotte will have their home opener against Jacksonville at 7 pm at Bojangles’ Coliseum. Greensboro will visit Savannah for its home opener on May 22nd at Enmarket Arena. Theleague’s website mentions that there will be a postseason. But the details will be announced later on.
All Upshot League games will be telecast for free on their YouTube channel during the 2026 season. According to Orender, the league’s broader media package, including the over-the-air distribution and national coverage, is still being finalized. The league is projecting sold-out games to open the season as well.
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