The Charlotte Crown are a professional women's basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The team is part of the UpShot League, a developmental women's basketball league in the United States. The Crown are one of the league's inaugural four franchises, whose first full regular season ended on August 23, 2026.
History In October 2025, the UpShot League unveiled the Charlotte Crown as its newest franchise, marking the return of professional women's basketball to the Queen City. The team is operated by Zawyer Sports & Entertainment, which also owns the Charlotte Checkers and the Gastonia Ghost Peppers. The UpShot League debuted in May 2026 with four teams: the Charlotte Crown, Jacksonville Waves, Savannah Steel, and Greensboro Groove. The league aims to provide a platform for aspiring athletes aiming to reach the WNBA.
On December 8, 2025, the UpShot League announced the opening weekend matchups for each team. Charlotte opened its season on May 21, 2026, against the Jacksonville Waves.
The regular season concluded on August 23, 2026, with the Crown earning a spot in the championship game with a 21-11 record.
Coach Former WNBA player Trisha Stafford-Odom has been named the first head coach of the Charlotte Crown. Stafford-Odom brings a wealth of experience to the team, having previously coached at Duke, North Carolina Central, and the University of North Carolina. She is committed to scouting local talent and building a competitive team.
Name The name is a reference to the city's nickname, "The Queen City," as the city was named for Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland.
Player development In July 2026, Michelle Onyiah became the first player in UpShot League history to sign with a WNBA team when she joined the Indiana Fever on a developmental roster contract. Onyiah had played for the Crown during the league's inaugural season, averaging 9.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game in 21 games before signing with Indiana.
Arena The Crown will play their home games at Bojangles Coliseum, located in Charlotte. The arena has a seating capacity of 8,600 and will host the team's 17 regular-season games from May to August.
Ownership Zawyer Sports & Entertainment, the team's owners, is a Florida-based company. They are committed to investing in facilities for its teams, including plans for a $20 million, 90,000-square-foot basketball venue to house the Crown's practice sessions. Discussions are underway to secure local government funding for the facility.
Personnel Current roster
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