A new professional women’s basketball league headquartered in Jacksonville plans to begin play in May 2026.
The UpShot League was announced Jan. 27 by Zawyer Sports & Entertainment, who will operate it.
Zawyer owns and operates the Jacksonville Icemen, Savannah Ghost Pirates, Greensboro Pro Hockey, 32 Degrees Marketing, Community First Igloo, Charlotte Checkers and Gastonia Ghost Peppers.
“The UPSHOT League, is a mission-focused enterprise where value and values are united with the commitment to UPlift, elevate, and develop women basketball athletes, coaches, front office personnel and extends the commitment to our communities and fans,” Zawyer said in a news release.
The league will launch with a minimum of four teams, including one in Jacksonville. No other cities were announced.
Donna Orender, president of the WNBA from 2005 to 2011, will be the league commissioner.
Orender runs a Jacksonville Beach consulting and advisory firm called Orender Unlimited.
“This is a special time, and I would say it’s about time,” Orender said in a news release. “We are proud to add UPSHOT, 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.”
Zawyer said investors in the league include:
• Cheryl Miller, Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer. Miller led the U.S. team to the gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
• Ann Meyers Drysdale, former women’s basketball player, Olympian and WNBA/NBA executive.
• Seniesa Estrada, former WBA boxing champion.
• Patric Young, former University of Florida basketball player who runs the PY4 Foundation.
• Annie Q. Riegel, an actress known for her role in HBO’s “The Leftovers.”
• Chris Robert, American film producer.
“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 in the release. “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 release said UpShot League teams will play a 40-game regular season, divided between home and away games.
The Jacksonville team has a website — theupshotjacksonville.com — but no name.
“Help shape the future of UpShot Jacksonville! Submit your suggestions for our team name and be a part of history!” it says, offering a form to submit a suggestion.