Dawn Staley Steps Into the Studio for WNBA Tip-Off Debut on CBS
We’re used to seeing South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley patrolling the sidelines, guiding her Gamecocks to national prominence. But this weekend, she’s switching roles—trading her whistle for a mic. Staley is joining CBS Sports as an analyst for WNBA Tip-Off, the network’s brand-new WNBA pregame show.
Hosted by Sarah Kustok and joined by former WNBA player Renee Montgomery, WNBA Tip-Off makes its debut on Saturday, June 7 at 7:30 p.m. EST, just before CBS airs its first-ever WNBA regular-season game: the Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever.
Staley will provide insight into the game—and into two of her most successful former players. Aliyah Boston, now a forward for the Indiana Fever, was a star on South Carolina’s 2022 national championship team. She went on to win 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year honors.
Also taking the floor Saturday will be Kamilla Cardoso, a member of South Carolina’s 2024 title-winning squad, now making her mark with the Chicago Sky.
With both women matching up in the paint, fans can look forward to Staley’s expert breakdown of how their games have evolved—and how they might challenge each other on the court.
Staley Takes on a New Challenge
Saturday’s show is the first of four WNBA Tip-Off editions featuring Staley this season. The next comes on July 12, when the Golden State Valkyries face the Las Vegas Aces, giving Staley another chance to cover her former Gamecocks, including A’ja Wilson and Tiffany Mitchell.
The third and fourth broadcasts will air on:
- August 9 – Another Sky vs. Fever showdown
- August 16 – New York Liberty vs. Minnesota Lynx
This isn’t Staley’s first successful foray into broadcasting. During the last NCAA football season, she joined ESPN’s College Gameday and impressed with a 6-3 record in her game picks.
Staley’s presence on the CBS panel underscores not just her basketball IQ but her influence across the sport. Her role as an analyst adds another layer to her ongoing legacy in women’s basketball.
