Tina Charles has a new job less than four months after retiring from the WNBA.
NBC Sports announced Thursday that Charles will join its WNBA coverage as a feature contributor. Her first night on the job is Monday, when the Atlanta Dream play the Los Angeles Sparks at 10 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN.
Advertisement
The network plans to use Charles for feature stories and original content. Maria Taylor and LaChina Robinson are part of NBC’s studio group, along with analysts Sue Bird and Cheryl Miller.
Charles, 37, announced her retirement May 5, just before the 2026 season began. She said Thursday that working for NBC gives her a way to remain around the league.
Charles described joining NBC Sports as a “full-circle moment” since she grew up watching NBA on NBC. She mentioned that returning to cover the WNBA holds special significance because of what the league has provided her. Additionally, Charles aims to remain connected to basketball and incorporate “a player’s perspective” into NBC’s WNBA narratives.
Charles retired with 4,262 rebounds, the WNBA record, and 3,364 made field goals, another league record. Her 8,396 regular-season points rank second behind Diana Taurasi.
Advertisement
Connecticut chose her first overall out of UConn in 2010. Charles was the unanimous Rookie of the Year and MVP two years later.
Over 14 seasons, she played for Connecticut, New York, Washington, Phoenix, Seattle, and Atlanta. Her career culminated in a return to Connecticut in 2025, twelve years after her last season with the Sun.
At age 36, Charles played 43 of 44 games, averaging 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds in 28.4 minutes. He also achieved his 200th career double-double in an August game against Chicago.
Over 14 seasons, Charles was selected for eight All-Star teams, nine All-WNBA teams, and was included in the league’s 25th Anniversary Team.
Advertisement
Before joining the WNBA, Charles spent four seasons at UConn, helping the Huskies achieve an undefeated record and win national championships in her final two years. She was the Naismith, Wooden, and AP Player of the Year as a senior.
Charles also played for the United States in three Olympics, winning gold in 2012, 2016 and 2020. She was part of multiple FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup championship teams.
NBC also listed Charles’ work away from the court in its announcement.
She directed “Charlie’s Records,” which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2019. Her second film, “Game Changer,” premiered there in 2021.
Advertisement
Charles has been awarded the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award two times, in 2012 and 2025. Her Hopey’s Heart Foundation focuses on promoting heart health, education, and aiding underserved communities.
Another project started in July. Charles launched 78 Brewing Co., with its flagship beer, 78-0, named after UConn’s combined record during the two undefeated championship seasons she played there.
Betsy Riley, NBC Sports senior vice president and coordinating producer for the WNBA, mentioned Charles’ basketball career along with her film and philanthropic work in the announcement.
“Few players have impacted the game of basketball the way Tina Charles has throughout her remarkable career,” Riley said in a statement. “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.”
Advertisement
Charles is joining NBC in the first year of its new WNBA package. NBCUniversal and the league announced the 11-year agreement in July 2024. It includes regular-season games and postseason coverage on NBC and Peacock.
NBC has Chicago and Indiana on its Sunday Night Basketball schedule Aug. 23. Charles makes her debut one night later.
Atlanta enters the weekend at 23-13 and second in the Eastern Conference. Los Angeles is 12-24 and out of playoff contention. The Dream beat the Sparks 124-88 earlier this week before the teams’ Monday rematch.
