UPSHOT Baltimore Names Sonia Chase President

UPSHOT Baltimore, the UPSHOT League’s fifth franchise, has appointed Baltimore native Sonia Chase as president ahead of its May 2027 debut. Chase brings nearly three decades of experience as an athlete, sports executive, and community leader. The team will play at Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena. Its name, logo, colors, jerseys, mascot, and inaugural head coach are due to be announced in coming months.

A Homecoming Appointment

Chase was the first woman drafted directly from the University of Maryland into the WNBA while still a student-athlete. Her playing career included the WNBA, international clubs in Greece, Turkey, and China, NWBL All-Star honors with the Birmingham Power, and a gold medal at the U.S. Olympic Festival.

Greg Resh, Governor at UPSHOT Baltimore, said:

“Sonia Chase embodies everything that makes Baltimore great - grit, excellence, and an unwavering commitment to community. Her career as a trailblazing athlete and respected sports executive makes her exactly the right leader for this franchise. We look forward to seeing UPSHOT Baltimore take the court in 2027 and to the economic and civic energy this franchise will bring to our state.”

Sports And Community Experience

Chase most recently served as an Associate Director in Secretariat’s Global Sports Practice, advising leagues, sports properties, investors, brands, and collegiate athletics programs. Earlier, she was U.S. Sponsorship Operations Manager at Deloitte, overseeing operations, analytics, and logistics for a sponsorship portfolio representing more than $4.9 billion in business.

She is also Founder and CEO of Chase Your Dreams Academy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving youth in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The academy and its U.S. Sports/NIKE Basketball and Leadership Development Camps have reached more than 13,000 youth since 2009.

Building Toward 2027

UPSHOT Baltimore joins the league’s Founding Four teams in Jacksonville, Savannah, Charlotte, and Greensboro, alongside expansion team UPSHOT Nashville. Chase will lead the franchise as it prepares its first season in Baltimore.

Sonia Chase, President at UPSHOT Baltimore, said:

“As a proud daughter of Baltimore, this moment means more to me than words can capture. I've spent my career building opportunities in professional sports and giving back to the community that raised me - now I get to do both, at home, building something historic for the city I love. Baltimore has always shown up for its champions, and I can't wait to build a team and an organization this city can be proud of.”