2012 WNBA MVP, Three-Time Olympic Gold Medalist, and League’s All-Time Rebounding Leader Joins Cheryl Miller and Sue Bird on NBC Sports’ WNBA Studio Team
WNBA 2026 Season Continues on NBC, Peacock and NBCSN, and Includes WNBA Finals
STAMFORD, Conn. –Aug. 20, 2026 – Tina Charles, the 2012 WNBA MVP, three-time Olympic gold medalist, and two-time NCAA national champion, is joining NBC Sports’ WNBA coverage as a feature contributor, NBC Sports today announced. Charles’ debut on the network will be Monday, Aug. 24 at 10 p.m. ET with Atlanta Dream at Los Angeles Sparks on Peacock and NBCSN.
Charles recently concluded a historic professional career that established her among the greatest players in WNBA history. Selected No. 1 overall by the Connecticut Sun in the 2010 WNBA Draft, Charles earned WNBA Most Valuable Player honors in 2012 and was named WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2010. Over her 14-season career, she was selected to eight WNBA All-Star Games, earned nine All-WNBA honors, captured multiple scoring and rebounding titles, and was named to the WNBA 25th Anniversary Team. She retired as the league’s all-time rebounding leader and second all-time leading scorer in WNBA history.
Off the court, Charles has distinguished herself as a leader, philanthropist, and storyteller. The two-time recipient of the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award (2012, 2025), she has dedicated significant time and resources to charitable initiatives focused on heart health, education, and underserved communities through her Hopey’s Heart Foundation and other outreach efforts. Charles has also demonstrated a passion for storytelling through media and film. In 2019, she produced and directed the feature documentary Charlie’s Records, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and chronicled her father’s impact on Caribbean music and culture in New York City. In 2021, she produced and directed the short documentary Game Changer, based on Tanya DePass a lifelong Chicagoan and African-American gamer, determined to make the gaming industry more inclusive for everyone, including people like her. In July 2026, Charles launched 78 Brewing Co. and its flagship beer, 78-0, inspired by UConn’s historic back-to-back undefeated national championship teams. Through the venture, she hopes to increase representation in an industry where fewer than 1% of U.S. breweries are Black-owned.
Bringing more than a decade of professional playing experience and one of the most decorated resumes in the history of the sport, Charles joins NBC Sports’ WNBA studio team, including hosts Maria Taylor and LaChina Robinson, and analysts and Hall of Famers Sue Bird and Cheryl Miller. In her role, she will participate in storytelling and original content initiatives.
“Growing up, I watched the NBA on NBC, so joining NBC Sports is truly a full-circle moment for me,” said Charles. “It’s even more meaningful to be part of NBC’s return to the WNBA, a league that has given me so much throughout my career. I’m excited to stay connected to the game I love, share a player’s perspective, and help tell the stories that make this league so special. I’m grateful to join such an incredible team.”
“Few players have impacted the game of basketball the way Tina Charles has throughout her remarkable career,” said Betsy Riley, Senior Vice President and Coordinating Producer, WNBA, NBC Sports. “And her work as a philanthropist and documentary filmmaker reflects her commitment to making an impact beyond the court. We look forward to sharing her unique perspective with our viewers.”
On the international stage, Charles won three Olympic gold medals with Team USA in 2012, 2016, and 2020, while also helping the United States capture multiple FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup championships.
Before her professional career, Charles starred at the University of Connecticut, where she helped lead the Huskies to consecutive undefeated national championship seasons in 2009 and 2010. As a senior, she earned numerous national player-of-the-year honors, including the Naismith College Player of the Year Award, John R. Wooden Award, and Associated Press Player of the Year.
NBC Sports’ coverage of the WNBA continues Sunday, Aug. 23 during Sunday Night Basketball with Chicago Sky hosting Indiana Fever at 7 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
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In July 2024, NBCUniversal and the WNBA announced an 11-year media rights agreement, beginning with the 2026 season. In 2026, NBCUniversal will present WNBA regular-season games, WNBA Semi-Finals and WNBA Finals, across NBC and Peacock. For more information on the agreement, click here.
Additional information about NBC Sports’ 2026 WNBA schedule can be found here.
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