Chiney Ogwumike launches WNBA series "The W" on Peacock

Chiney Ogwumike, an ESPN analyst and former WNBA player, is excited about her new series, "The W." The show aims to highlight the experiences of rookies in the WNBA. Ogwumike, who has been a prominent voice in women’s basketball, is known for being the first Black woman to host a radio program for ESPN. At 32 years old, Ogwumike has achieved a lot. She is a two-time WNBA champion and has a sister, Nneka Ogwumike, who plays for the Seattle Storm. Ogwumike described this time in women’s sports as “historic,” expressing her excitement about the growth and visibility of the league. The series is loosely based on Ogwumike's own life, particularly her experience after being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft. It follows the journey of a rookie, exploring both challenges and triumphs. Ogwumike and her agent, Allison Galer, initially went to pitch a different story, but they changed direction after a meeting with the network. After four years in development, the project gained momentum, especially after Caitlin Clark was selected as the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Ogwumike believes this moment has brought more attention to women's basketball, contributing to a revitalization of the league. The W is being developed at Peacock and marks the first project from Ogwumike and Galer’s production company, Victorious. The show will be led by Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch, who created the Netflix series "Glow."