ESPN Launches ‘Courtside,’ Its New Women’s Final Four AltCast

April 1, 2026

ESPN will present some fancy footwork during its telecasts of the Women’s Final Four.

For six years, ESPN found success with Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi at the helm of a special ESPN2 “altcast” aimed at providing a different option than traditional game coverage during the college basketball tournament. With those two former players retiring from active play and getting more involved with outside ventures, the Disney-backed sports-media giant is trying a different tack. “Courtside,” will rely on a wider panel of personalities and will be hosted by Jess Sims.

Her guests will include Olympic bronze medalist Ilona Maher for both semifinal games, as well as the championship; WNBA players Natisha Hiedeman and Courtney Williams, also known as the ‘StudBudz,’ will serve as analysts for both semifinals on Friday; six-time WNBA All-Star Chelsea Gray, who will be present as a guest analyst during Sunday’s national championship; and ESPN sports creator Katie Feeney, who will offer up roaming interviews and reactions from fans. VARIETY