NEED TO KNOW
-
Beginning March 17, Chiney Ogwumike is hosting her own ESPN digital show twice-weekly called Chiney Today
-
Ogwumike tells PEOPLE her new show will be “a home for everyone who truly loves hoops”
-
Chiney Today will be available twice weekly on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all digital show and podcast platforms
Chiney Ogwumike‘s hard work is paying off.
Starting March 17, Ogwumike, 33, is hosting her own twice-weekly digital show with ESPN called Chiney Today, where the former WNBA star will give fans “a home for everyone who truly loves hoops,” she tells PEOPLE exclusively.
Advertisement
“It’s the home for hoops, all hoops. Meaning if you’re a basketball fan, you probably care about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander breaking Wilt Chamberlain’s record, but you’re also following Team USA in the World Cup qualifiers because Paige [Bueckers], Caitlin [Clark] and Angel [Reese] are all playing together.”
Chiney Ogwumike via ESPN
Credit: Diandra Miller
Ogwumike is also navigating reporting on the ongoing collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations between the WNBA and its players, which includes her sister Nneka Ogwumike. “I’m not going to lie, it’s been difficult to balance because I have personal feelings, but at the same time, I have a job to do,” says the Chiney Today host.
Ogwumike worked hard to be in a position where she needs to find that balance, and she says Chiney Today will “a thousand percent” dive into the CBA negotiations and break down the updates from her experienced perspective. “I’ve been fighting for this opportunity for a long time,” she says. And I don’t take this for granted because I know I’m doing this for the players and for the locker rooms that I was in and for the moment that we’re in.”
Advertisement
“But what gives me the most joy,” Ogwumike continues, “is when I’m on-air in a moment that matters and I get players saying, ‘Thank you for being my voice’ and then also them understanding that I’m going to have to be critical, I’m going to have to talk about your great performance and I’m going to have to talk about your tougher performance.”
Chiney Ogwumike on set of ‘Chiney Today’
Credit: Diandra Miller
That sentiment also applies to Nneka. “Let me tell you, once I was able to criticize or analyze my sister’s game, I knew I could do anything,” says Ogwumike, describing her sister, a 10-time WNBA All-Star, as her “life stylist.”
“I joke and call her my life stylist because she helps style my whole entire life, and she knows how long I’ve been working on this and I know how long she’s been working on making sure that this CBA reflects the best, not only for the players now, but the players to come.”
Advertisement
“She is currently in New York City, she had to go to the store to buy new clothes and staying in the meetings until 3:00 a.m. studying the CBA. Meanwhile, she’s checking on me saying, ‘How was your selection show? How are you?,’ ” Ogwumike says of her sister. “To be able to watch her handle the adversity and the challenges and operate through integrity during this huge, monumental moment for women….it’s been cool to be on two sides of things,” she continues.
Ogwumike adds, “She’s literally in these endless meetings and I’m trying to send her memes and jokes about the Oscars and bring her spirit up because what she’s fighting is so hard.”
Read the original article on People
