CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Zawyer Sports & Entertainment is proud to announce the establishment of The UPSHOT League, a new professional women’s basketball league, set to launch and play in May of 2026. Charlotte will be home to one of the four original teams of the league, building on the tremendous momentum and growth of women’s sports in the United States. The other three franchises (Jacksonville, FL, Savannah, GA, and Greensboro, NC) were announced earlier this week.
While the league will start with four teams in its inaugural season, expansion opportunities are available as the UPSHOT League looks to deliver an exciting and dynamic women’s basketball experience to markets across the United States.
“We are beyond thrilled to be able to launch this league and provide another quality platform for women to continue being a part of the sport they love, whether it is a player on the court or a staff member in the front office,” Zawyer Sports CEO Andy Kaufmann said. “We are also grateful to be able to share this vision with several prominent and passionate individuals in our ownership group that left their own footprints in the field of athletics and entertainment.
The UpShot League’s regular-season schedule will consist of 40 games, including 20 at home and 20 on the road. Charlotte will play their home games at Bojangles Coliseum.
"Charlotte has long been a city where sports thrive, boasting a rich tapestry of teams and events that cater to a diverse fan base and contribute to our vibrant sports culture," Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority CEO Steve Bagwell said. "Bojangles Coliseum is a venue with deep roots in our city’s history, and we are honored to host the UPSHOT League, where they will undoubtedly create new and exciting memories for our community.”
A Name-The-Team contest is now live on the team’s website at TheUpShotCharlotte.com. Season ticket options will start at $44 per seat, based on the new 44 player positions the UPSHOT League will create with its formation.
The UpShot League is designed to celebrate and highlight women’s basketball, opening up an additional avenue for professional athletes to progress in their careers. From the players on the court to the staff behind the scenes, the UpShot League will help create vitality, belief and investment towards all communities involved.
Members of The UPSHOT League investment group include the following:
Cheryl Miller, Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer
Ann Meyers Drysdale, Former Women’s Basketball Player and WNBA/NBA Executive
Seniesa Estrada, Former WBA Boxing Champion
Patric Young, Former University of Florida Basketball player & PY4 Foundation
Annie Q., American Actress
Chris Robert, American Film Producer
Overseeing The UPSHOT League will be Donna Orender, who will serve as the league’s commissioner. Orender was a hall-of-fame athlete, playing basketball collegiately at Queens College in New York City and professionally in the Women’s Pro Basketball League. She has previously served as President of the WNBA and Senior Vice President of the PGA TOUR. Since 2011, Orender has worked to establish opportunities for girls/women through her non-profit, Generation.
“This is a special time, and I would say it’s about time,” Orender said. “We are proud to add [The UPSHOT League], a strategic enterprise that will serve the entire women’s basketball ecosphere, from youth to college to the pros and beyond. There is an immense amount of talent looking for a place to play, we can now provide that place. I love this game, and what women sports can and does do for women and girls, as well as men and boys, is important for all of us. Building talent, providing educational opportunities, creating strong community entertainment and educational assets for our cities is a dream come true!”
In addition, vintage jerseys will be worn by each team during the inaugural season to honor the legends that helped pioneer women’s basketball. Throwback uniforms include the New Jersey Gems, a franchise that UPShot League Owner Ann Meyers played for from 1978-81 in the Women’s Professional Basketball League (WBL).
Zawyer Sports & Entertainment owns, manages, and operates the Jacksonville Icemen, Savannah Ghost Pirates, Greensboro Gargoyles, 32 Degrees Marketing, Community First Igloo, Charlotte Checkers, and Gastonia Ghost Peppers. Zawyer Sports consults on operations for the Tahoe Knight Monsters and Ghost Pirates Ice.