From The Hardwood To Hollywood: WNBA Series Officially In The Works
With the WNBA thriving like never before, ‘The W’ arrives at the perfect time to celebrate the league’s grit, glamour, and undeniable queerness.
The WNBA is getting its first-ever scripted comedy series, and it already has the potential to be a game-changer. The W, an upcoming half-hour show in development at Peacock, is set to bring the fast-paced, drama-filled world of professional women’s basketball to the small screen. With an all-star lineup of creators behind it—including two-time WNBA All-Star Chiney Ogwumike and GLOW co-creators Carly Mensch and Liz Flahive—The W just might be a slam dunk.
The W will follow a talented but untested rookie as she enters the high-stakes world of the WNBA, alongside her equally inexperienced agent. Loosely inspired by Ogwumike’s own journey with her agent and business partner, Allison Galer, the show promises a sharp, funny, and authentic look at both the glamour and the grind of professional women’s sports.
Related: Fox News Tried To Go After Natasha Cloud. The WNBA Champ Delivered A Medal-Worthy Clap Back
Mensch and Flahive, who created the beloved wrestling dramedy GLOW, are no strangers to stories about women pushing boundaries in male-dominated spaces. Their return to sports storytelling—this time focusing on the WNBA—suggests The W will be just as sharp-witted and emotionally resonant as their previous work.
Ogwumike is not only a WNBA star but also a respected ESPN analyst and media trailblazer. Through her production company Victorious, she’s on a mission to amplify women’s sports and create new opportunities for female athletes beyond the court. “We no longer have to wait for opportunities, we can create them,” she told Deadline.
With the WNBA’s popularity skyrocketing, The W couldn’t be hitting the scene at a better time. Viewership is at an all-time high, investment in the league is growing, and games have become must-watch TV. The cultural moment is here, and The W has the potential to capture its energy in a way no scripted series has before.
Related: 10 Lesbian Athlete Couples We Love
But here’s the million-dollar question: Will The W deliver the queer representation WNBA fans deserve? The league is home to some of the most visible LGBTQ+ athletes in professional sports. From legends like Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi to rising stars like Courtney Williams and Natasha Cloud, queer players have shaped the game both on and off the court.
For The W to truly capture the essence of women’s basketball, LGBTQ+ representation isn’t just a nice addition—it’s essential. Anything less than full-court representation would be a missed shot.
