BALTIMORE, MD — September 10, 2026 — UPSHOT Baltimore, the fifth franchise of the UPSHOT League, a professional women's basketball league owned, managed, and operated by Zawyer Sports & Entertainment, today unveiled its official team name and logo: Baltimore Starlings. The announcement marks the next major milestone for the franchise ahead of its inaugural season, which begins May 2027 at the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena, managed by the Oak View Group.
“The Baltimore Starlings represent everything this city stands for: determination, grit, and pride,” said Sonia Chase, President of the Baltimore Starlings and University of Maryland Terrapin alum. “Just like the flocks that fill our skies every fall, our fans, our players, and our city are strongest when we move together. This name and this logo were shaped by the people of Baltimore, and we couldn’t be prouder to bring this identity to life for our hometown.”
The Starlings name was selected through the franchise’s “Name the Team” contest, which invited Baltimore fans to submit and vote on ideas earlier this year. The winning name references a bird that's long been part of Baltimore's skyline - one known for traveling in numbers and moving as a united front, a fitting symbol for the resilience, unity, and collective strength the franchise hopes to embody on and off the court.
"This city is a sports town and sports unites everyone in our communities," said Greg Resh, Governor of the Baltimore Starlings. "The Starlings are built on that same spirit of unity and community, and I want to thank every fan who submitted a name and cast a vote - the Starlings is the perfect name for this team and in this town."
The Starlings join a proud lineage of Baltimore franchises named for the region’s iconic birds, following in the flight path of the Baltimore Orioles and Baltimore Ravens. With the Starlings, Baltimore becomes home to a trio of professional teams inspired by its skies--a tribute to the city’s deep and enduring connection to the winged creatures that have long been part of its identity.
The name also pays homage to Baltimore’s place in American history as the birthplace of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” written by Francis Scott Key during the Battle of Baltimore in 1814. Just as the nation once watched the skies over Fort McHenry, all eyes will now turn to the skies above Baltimore as the Starlings take flight.
The team's identity was designed by branding agency The Barn Creative, with the logo and color palette paying tribute to the state flag and Maryland’s heritage, while giving Baltimore fans a bold new identity to rally behind.
Basketball has deep roots throughout Maryland and the broader DMV region, boasting professional and local legends such as Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, and Angel Reese, as well as Juan Dixon and Kristi Toliver, who led their University of Maryland teams to NCAA Division One Championships in 2002 and 2006, respectively. For generations, the region’s parks, gyms, and arenas have served as the backdrop for unforgettable moments that have helped shape the community’s rich basketball tradition. Now, the Starlings are proud to carry that legacy forward by creating greater opportunities for women and girls to advance within the sport and shine for their communities, a pivotal piece of UPSHOT’s core principals and values.
This announcement, along with the recent conclusion of UPSHOT’s inaugural season, comes at a significant inflection point for women’s sports. Between record breaking player, media rights and sponsorship deals, the 2020s are proving to be a breakout decade for the industry, especially women’s professional basketball. According to recent studies, revenue in women’s sports grew 4.5 times faster (McKinsey) than men’s between 2022-2024, and the industry as a whole is predicted to generate $3B in revenue in 2026 alone (Deloitte). In a professional sports landscape where women’s basketball talent exceeds available jobs, UPSHOT is in a unique position, offering new and growing opportunities for players, coaches, trainers and more, at a moment of tremendous growth.
Starlings merchandise is available now online, along with season memberships and group outing packages, at StarlingsUpshot.com.
Additional announcements regarding the Starlings’ inaugural head coach, player signings, jersey unveil, mascot, and more will follow in the coming months as the franchise builds toward its first season in May 2027. The UPSHOT League's 2027 season will feature six teams: Jacksonville Waves, Savannah Steel, Charlotte Crown, Greensboro Groove, Nashville expansion franchise, and Baltimore Starlings.
About the UPSHOT League
The UPSHOT League is a premier women’s professional basketball league headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. Owned and operated by Zawyer Sports & Entertainment, the league is built on four core pillars—UPlift, UPward, UPend, and UProar—aiming to create meaningful pathways for athletes and strengthen the communities they serve. The league’s “Founding Four” teams include the Jacksonville Waves, Savannah Steel, Charlotte Crown and Greensboro Groove. Expansion teams include UPSHOT Nashville and Baltimore Starlings.
About Zawyer Sports & Entertainment
Zawyer Sports & Entertainment (ZSE) is a sports ownership and management company creating exceptional experiences for athletes, fans, and communities. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, ZSE owns and operates multiple professional teams and is the force behind The UPSHOT League, a professional women’s basketball league Where the Future is UP. With a focus on opportunity, community, and connection, ZSE builds platforms where players shine, fans engage, and cities thrive.
About Oak View Group (OVG)
Oak View Group (OVG) is a global sports and entertainment company founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015. OVG’s mission is to be a positive disruption to business as usual in the sports, live entertainment, and hospitality industries. OVG is world-renowned as the leading full-service live entertainment and hospitality group, with 10 major new arenas either open or under development including: Climate Pledge Arena at Seattle Center; UBS Arena in Belmont Park, NY; Moody Center in Austin, TX; Acrisure Arena in Greater Palm Springs, CA; and CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, MD; as well as arena development projects for Co-op Live in Manchester, UK; Anhembi Arena in São Paulo, Brazil; FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton, ON; a New Arena and entertainment district in Las Vegas, NV; and a New Arena in Cardiff, Wales. OVG360 is a full-service venue management, hospitality solutions, and venue services company servicing more than 400 arenas, stadiums, performing arts centers, culture institutions, and convention centers world-wide. More information at OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
Media Contact
Lauren Muni