UPSHOT League Seeks the Next Generation of Women's Pro Basketball Talent
SPORTS
The UPSHOT League is a new women's professional basketball league focused on creating opportunities for players and building connections with local communities.
As women's sports continue to grow, one of the key challenges has been building the infrastructure to support emerging talent. The UPSHOT League has announced its first national open tryouts for female athletes seeking a professional basketball career.
Scheduled for March 1 in Greensboro, NC, and March 15 in Jacksonville, FL, the tryouts will help form rosters for the league's four founding teams: the Jacksonville Waves, Charlotte Crown, Greensboro Groove, and Savannah Steel.
The Orender Factor
The UPSHOT League isn't just another startup; it is a venture backed by some of the most respected names in the game. Leading the charge is Commissioner Donna Orender, former President of the WNBA, who co-founded the league alongside Andy Kaufmann, founder of Zawyer Sports & Entertainment.
This combination of elite sports leadership and community-focused development suggests a league built for longevity. “These tryouts represent more than roster spots, they represent real opportunity,” said Orender. “The UPSHOT League is committed to creating a professional platform where women athletes are valued, supported, and connected to their communities in meaningful ways.”
The "Community-First" Professional Model
While the WNBA remains the pinnacle of the sport, The UPSHOT League is carving out a strategic niche by focusing on regional "Heroes in New Cities." By targeting athletes who have exhausted their college eligibility and providing them with a professional platform in markets like Greensboro and Savannah, the league is expanding the map for women's basketball.
The inaugural season is set to tip off on May 15, with final rosters announced by May 9. Aspiring pros can pre-register now at the league’s official website.
Building Opportunity Where There's Unmet Demand
Women's sports are no longer a speculative investment, they're a market responding to clear demand. The UPSHOT League's launch addresses a tangible gap: there are far more talented college graduates than there are professional roster spots available in women's basketball.
For the sports and entertainment industry, the opportunity is straightforward. By creating a league focused on regional engagement and player development, founders Donna Orender and Michael Kaufmann are tapping into communities eager to support local teams and athletes. Rather than competing directly with established leagues, UPSHOT is positioning itself as a pathway for players who might otherwise leave the sport after college.
The strategic value lies in building loyalty at the community level. When a league gives local athletes a professional platform and connects them directly to hometown fans, it creates roots that are difficult to replicate. Brands that empower residents to rally around their own, turning talented neighbors into professional athletes, build relationships that extend beyond entertainment. In a crowded sports landscape, that kind of authentic local connection can be a meaningful differentiator.