ESPN's Chiney Ogwumike Wants Her New Show to Be a ‘Home for Everyone Who Loves Hoops’
A new digital show from ESPN and Peyton Manning’s production company is betting that basketball culture has outgrown the highlight reel. If you pay attention to how sports media is shifting, this one is worth watching early.
The show, Chiney Today, is hosted by retired WNBA player Chiney Ogwumike. It launched March 17 and airs twice-weekly, with episodes available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all digital show and podcast platforms.
In a press release published March 17, ESPN described Ogwumike as “one of the few national voices covering men’s and women’s basketball at the highest level” and “one of the most respected and influential voices in sports media.”
The show’s premise covers the full basketball landscape in a single place, from game breakdowns to the cultural threads around the sport. Ogwumike framed it that way in the press release.
“Basketball has always been so much bigger than final buzzers and box scores – it’s culture, community and global connection. I have been blessed to witness the game from every angle; on the court, in the studio, and even as a fan.”
She added: “Chiney Today is about bringing all of that together, covering the entire basketball landscape in one place. We’re not only breaking down the game at the highest level, we’re also getting into everything that gives hoops its heartbeat.”
In an interview with People, also published March 17, she described the show as “a home for everyone who truly loves hoops.”
Why Chiney Ogwumike Was the Right Choice
Ogwumike’s background is unusually layered for a sports media host. She’s a former No. 1 overall pick, a two-time WNBA All-Star, and a former vice president of the WNBA Players Association (WNBPA).
She was also one of the first commentators to cover the sport while simultaneously playing in the WNBA, which gave her a dual perspective that most analysts simply don’t have: the view from inside the locker room and the view from behind the desk, at the same time.
In 2020, Ogwumike became the first Black woman to host a national, daily sports-talk radio show with Chiney and Golic Jr., according to her ESPN bio.
That track record matters for understanding Chiney Today. ESPN Senior Vice President of Sports Studio & Entertainment Mike Foss alluded to Ogwumike’s “ability to connect leagues, players, and audiences through both insight and authenticity.”
He looks forward to watching Ogwumike use her platform to “lead thoughtful, dynamic conversations that reflect how fans experience the game today.”
Ogwumike, for her part, made clear she intends to use the show as more than a highlight recap. She wants to continue being a voice for her fellow athletes, but also use her platform to be critical when the situation calls for it.
“I’ve been fighting for this opportunity for a long time,” she told People. “And I don’t take this for granted because I know I’m doing this for the players and for the locker rooms that I was in and for the moment that we’re in.”
A former player and union leader, backed by a Hall of Famer’s production company, building a digital-first basketball show that treats the men’s and women’s game as a single landscape.
That combination didn’t exist a few years ago. Now ESPN is betting a new show on it.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
