Tina Charles joins NBC Sports WNBA studio team

NBC Sports announced Tina Charles will join its WNBA studio team as a feature contributor, returning to the league after retiring in May following a 14-season career. Charles will debut Monday, Aug. 24, during Atlanta Dream vs. Los Angeles Sparks coverage on NBC Sports and Peacock.

NBC Sports listed Charles as a “feature contributor” joining Sue Bird, Cheryl Miller, Maria Taylor, and LaChina Robinson in its studio lineup.

Charles retired from professional play in May after a 14-season WNBA career that included eight WNBA All-Star selections, nine All-WNBA honors, and selection to the WNBA 25th Anniversary Team.

She retired as a WNBA icon after being selected No. 1 by the Connecticut Sun out of UConn in the 2010 WNBA Draft, then earning WNBA Rookie of the Year and WNBA MVP in 2012.

Charles’ impact extended beyond on-court honors, including two Dawn Staley Community Leadership Awards in 2012 and 2025 for her work with the Hopey’s Heart Foundation.

“Growing up, I watched the NBA on NBC, so joining NBC Sports is truly a full-circle moment for me,” Charles said in a statement.

Charles said the move also reflected NBC’s return to covering the WNBA and that she is eager to remain connected to the game.

“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,” Charles said in a statement.

Betsy Riley, Senior Vice President and Coordinating Producer for WNBA coverage at NBC Sports, said Charles has impacted basketball through her career and that her philanthropic and documentary work reflects her commitment beyond the court.

“Few players have impacted the game of basketball the way Tina Charles has throughout her remarkable career,” said Betsy Riley.

Connecticut has also scheduled Charles for its Sun Legends induction on Tuesday, ahead of the Sun’s game against the Chicago Sky at Mohegan Sun Arena at 7 p.m., with her No. 31 jersey set to join the franchise’s rafters.

Charles said the Sun Legends honor was something she “honestly never imagined,” calling it a full-circle moment tied to where her Connecticut story began.

“To be named a Connecticut Sun Legend is something I honestly never imagined, and I’m just incredibly grateful,” Charles said in a release.

In her final WNBA season, Charles returned to Connecticut and averaged 16.3 points per game while finishing her career with Sun franchise records including points per game (17.3), rebounds per game (10.8), most points-rebounds double-double (80), and most 20-point, 20-rebound games (3). She also set the franchise record for single-season offensive rebounds with 129 during her rookie run.