Former WNBA President and Upshot League founder Donna Orender joins Laura to talk about why she’s launching a new pro league—and why the moment demands it. She shares lessons from her time leading the W, the structural gaps she’s aiming to fill, and what it takes to create community-rooted franchises that are more than just teams—they’re assets.

 

00:29 Meet Donna Orender

02:05 Donna's Early Love for Basketball

06:51 Building Belief and Overcoming Obstacles

10:40 The Hardest Job: Transforming the WNBA

17:00 Reflecting on Success and Future Endeavors

21:29 Introducing the Upshot League

24:18 Opportunities for Athletes and Coaches

27:45 Fundraising and Selling the Vision

34:45 Naming the Upshot League

Former WNBA President and Upshot League founder Donna Orender joins Laura to talk about why she&rsquo;s launching a new pro league&mdash;and why the moment demands it. She shares lessons from her time leading the W, the structural gaps she&rsquo;s aiming to fill, and what it takes to create community-rooted franchises that are more than just teams&mdash;they&rsquo;re assets.
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00:29 Meet Donna Orender
02:05 Donna's Early Love for Basketball
06:51 Building Belief and Overcoming Obstacles
10:40 The Hardest Job: Transforming the WNBA
17:00 Reflecting on Success and Future Endeavors
21:29 Introducing the Upshot League
24:18 Opportunities for Athletes and Coaches
27:45 Fundraising and Selling the Vision
34:45 Naming the Upshot League

Women’s sports aren’t just growing—they’re booming. And Courtside is where you’ll get the inside track on the deals, disruptors, and dollars driving the industry forward. Hosted by Laura Correnti, award-winning media executive and founder of Deep Blue Sports & Entertainment, this podcast goes beyond the scores to spotlight the power players, trends, and investments shaping the future of this billion-dollar business. From groundbreaking sponsorships to media rights battles and the investors betting big, Courtside delivers the play-by-play on how women’s sports are changing the game. Whether you’re an industry insider, investor, athlete, or a fan ready to see women’s sports thrive, this is your front-row seat to the action: Courtside.

Women&rsquo;s sports aren&rsquo;t just growing&mdash;they&rsquo;re booming. And Courtside is where you&rsquo;ll get the inside track on the deals, disruptors, and dollars driving the industry forward.&nbsp;Hosted by Laura Correnti, award-winning media executive and founder of Deep Blue Sports &amp; Entertainment, this podcast goes beyond the scores to spotlight the power players, trends, and investments shaping the future of this billion-dollar business.&nbsp;From groundbreaking sponsorships to media rights battles and the investors betting big, Courtside delivers the play-by-play on how women&rsquo;s sports are changing the game. Whether you&rsquo;re an industry insider, investor, athlete, or a fan ready to see women&rsquo;s sports thrive, this is your front-row seat to the action: Courtside.

Courtside with Laura Correnti

Building the Opportunity League: Donna Orender on The Upshot

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/faf21590-0849-4015-93ad-b2eb00dd2996/transcript