UPSHOT League Announces New Professional Women’s Basketball Franchise in Tampa

Tampa expansion builds on the region’s momentum as a destination for women’s basketball and invites fans to help shape the new team from day one

Tampa, Fla. – October 6, 2026 – The UPSHOT League today announced a new professional women’s basketball franchise in Tampa, expanding to the region for the league’s 2027 season. UPSHOT Tampa brings a new professional basketball experience to a community with a proven appetite for women’s basketball. The Tampa Bay franchise will begin play in May 2027 at the USF Yuengling Center.

Tampa joins Baltimore and Nashville as 2027 expansion markets following UPSHOT’s inaugural 2026 season, which featured teams in Jacksonville, Savannah, Charlotte and Greensboro and concluded in August with the Charlotte Crown winning the league’s first championship.

UPSHOT is designed to expand professional opportunities for elite women’s basketball players while strengthening connections among athletes, fans and the communities its teams represent.

The league’s inaugural season also demonstrated its ability to create additional professional opportunities for elite players, with six UPSHOT athletes going on to secure WNBA developmental contracts during or following the 2026 season.

“UPSHOT is about creating meaningful opportunities for players to compete, grow and build their careers while connecting them with communities that love the game,” said Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Deputy Commissioner of the UPSHOT League. “Tampa Bay is a championship city, and it is ready for women’s professional basketball. Bringing UPSHOT to Tampa Bay is an important and exciting next step for our league, our players and our fans.”

Tampa Bay brings a strong women’s basketball track record to the league. The region has hosted the NCAA Women’s Final Four a record four times, most recently in 2025. The event generated an estimated $30 million in regional economic impact, according to Visit Tampa Bay, further demonstrating the region’s ability to attract and support major women’s sporting events.

The Tampa franchise, which will be officially named later this year, will be operated by Zawyer Sports & Entertainment and is backed by a group of investors led by Managing Partner Morgan Busby and President Garland Cooper.

Cooper brings extensive sports business leadership experience, having helped scale RCX Sports’ youth sports programming from 250,000 to more than one million annual participants and led the expansion of partnerships with the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB and MLS. A former professional softball player and three-time All-American at Northwestern University, Cooper was named a 2025 Sports Business Journal Game Changer, recognizing her leadership and impact in sports business.

“Tampa Bay has already shown that there is an audience and an appetite for high-level women’s basketball,” said Busby. “This community has welcomed the biggest stage in the college game again and again. We’re excited to build on that basketball tradition with a professional team that Tampa Bay can help shape from the very beginning.”

“Tampa Bay has earned a reputation as one of the nation’s premier destinations for women’s basketball, having hosted four NCAA Women’s Final Fours at Benchmark International Arena,” said Vinik Sports Group & Tampa Bay Lightning CEO Steve Griggs. “The addition of an UPSHOT League franchise builds on that legacy and reflects the continued growth and momentum of women’s sports across the Bay Area and beyond. We are proud that Yuengling Center will serve as the team’s home and excited to welcome the organization, its athletes and its fans to Team Tampa Bay.”

Tampa Bay Gets a Say in What Comes Next

Beginning October 6, fans throughout Tampa Bay will be invited to help shape the franchise through its “Name the Team” campaign, giving the community an early voice in the identity of its new women’s professional basketball team.

The campaign will culminate in the official unveiling of the Tampa team’s name and logo, planned for December 1. Fans can follow the team’s social media channels and website for updates. Visit tampaupshot.com or follow @upshottampa on major social platforms.

The campaign reflects UPSHOT’s broader mission to create professional opportunities for elite women’s basketball players while building teams with strong ties to the communities they represent.

“There is extraordinary basketball talent looking for opportunities to compete, develop and continue their careers,” said Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Deputy Commissioner of the UPSHOT League. “UPSHOT was built to create more of those opportunities while giving communities a chance to connect with these athletes and this game. Bringing that mission to Tampa Bay is an exciting next step for the league.”

Building a Team With Tampa Bay

UPSHOT Tampa plans to establish relationships with youth athletes, schools, basketball programs, nonprofits, businesses and community organizations throughout the region as the franchise takes shape.

That work begins October 6 with UPSHOT’s Shoe-A-Day initiative, designed to put basketball shoes in the hands of young athletes and connect the professional game with the next generation of players. The first Tampa Bay recipient is expected to be recognized as part of the franchise announcement.

Additional announcements regarding the Tampa franchise’s head coach, community and corporate partnerships, player opportunities, roster and other milestones will follow as the organization builds toward its inaugural season in May 2027.

About the UPSHOT League

The UPSHOT League is a premier women’s professional basketball league built on elite competition, player opportunity, and community connection. With a foundation rooted in high-level talent and global experience, the league aims to redefine the professional landscape while expanding opportunities for women’s basketball in the United States. The league currently consists of six teams, including: Jacksonville Waves, Charlotte Crown, Greensboro Groove, Savannah Steel, Baltimore Starlings, Nashville Vibe, and Tampa joining the league in May 2027. For more information, including live game schedules, tickets, and real-time statistics, visit upshotleague.com or follow @upshotleague on major social platforms.

About Zawyer Sports & Entertainment

Zawyer Sports & Entertainment (ZSE) is a sports ownership and management company creating exceptional experiences for athletes, fans, and communities. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, ZSE owns and operates multiple professional teams and is the force behind The Upshot League, a professional women’s basketball league Where the Future is UP. With a focus on opportunity, community, and connection, ZSE builds platforms where players shine, fans engage, and cities thrive.

Media Contact

Carolynn Smith-Jones, Seven Marketing + PR
csmith@sevenmarketingpr.com · 813-758-8460