protest, Portland, racial slur, Catholic school

by Shanique Yates

April 25, 2026

Hundreds Walk Out In Black Student Union Protest After Racial Slur At Portland Catholic High School

Students walked out at Central Catholic High, citing mishandling of a racist incident involving the baseball team.

Hundreds of students exercised their right to free speech during a protest at Central Catholic High School in Portland on April 24.

The protest is a response to what students have deemed a mishandling of both the school and the Portland Archdiocese’s handling of a racist incident that occurred among the Central High baseball team, Oregon Live reports.

Organized by the Black Student Union, senior Kaela Woodard put plans in motion for the walkout, which drew hundreds of students at the 800-student high school. At the time of the protest, the school was presented with a list of demands, including a call for suspension of the entire baseball coaching staff until specific training has been undergone, as well as changes to the school’s anti-racist policies and the request for some varsity baseball players not to be allowed to continue their season.

The move comes after an incident involving a racial slur that occurred during a pregame cheer. Per the students at the school, varsity players on the team hazed a freshman into using the derogatory term.

“Last week, we learned that racial hate speech was used by a member of our baseball team during a pre-game cheer,” the Central Catholic administration said in a statement when the incident first came to light. “This language is offensive, harmful, and in direct conflict with who we are as a school community.”

Although the school forfeited two baseball games and canceled in-person classes on Monday and Tuesday to determine how to support students, and the baseball team issued an official apology at an all-school assembly, many Central Catholic students said the response was not enough.

“They hold these safe spaces for us where we can talk and freely share our opinions, but they create no real change, and want to change pretty much nothing,” said senior Jalen Jackson.

He added, “Our Black students are obviously mortified by this happening, but I see too many people in this school walking up to them and talking like nothing has ever happened. It’s really disgusting, to be honest, and we need to be better as a community.”

In an updated statement released by the school, officials called the walkout a “powerful expression of hurt and urgency” carried out by Black students and community members.

”We support our students’ right to express themselves. Students have raised serious concerns about potential hazing, team culture, coaching oversight, and our response as a school. We are addressing each of these concerns directly and in alignment with our current policies,” read the statement. “We have taken action consistent with our current policies and are continuing to hold students accountable in ways that reflect the seriousness of this situation. We are strengthening expectations for coaching through required training and support to ensure team culture, supervision, and leadership consistent with Central Catholic’s values.”

Mike Phillips, the parent of a sophomore at Central Catholic who participated in the walkout, notes that he’s encountered this same sort of response by the school for his younger son, who attends the Madeleine School. He calls for the school’s administration to hold those involved accountable.

“It’s kind of like the same playbook,” he said. “When you get hit with the ball of racism, when we throw the ball back at you, at accountability in these institutions, you can’t hide behind the cross or the church. You have to be accountable for what it is.”

by Shanique Yates

April 25, 2026

Two Black Women Are Behind Affordable Housing Renaissance In Cleveland

Shelia Wright and Angela Thi Bennett created Frontline Development Group with a mission to create affordable housing opportunities.

Shelia Wright and Angela Thi Bennett are the driving forces behind a development group on a mission to create affordable housing opportunities for the Cleveland, Ohio, community.

Since creating Frontline Development Group, the goal has always been to advance real estate development that enhances wealth generation.

According to Signal Cleveland, the co-owners and limited partners’ first major project was Gordon Crossing, a mixed-income apartment building located on the city’s East 101st Street. Tenants first began moving into the establishment in 2026, a long time coming for the women invested in fostering better opportunities for the people in their community, starting with the basic need for housing.

“We realized it wasn’t just about us,” said Wright, Frontline president.

Bennett serves as vice president and general counsel. Both women had similar experiences growing up on Cleveland’s East Side and in East Cleveland and went on to earn MBAs and law degrees.

Launched in 2018, Frontline is among the only 0.40% of Black real estate developers in the United States. As an emerging developer in Cleveland, the company is an anomaly, especially given that Black East Side neighborhoods, including Central, Hough, and Fairfax, have suffered disinvestment for years.

Black developers are a rarity, which is why Wright and Bennett take their mission very seriously. In addition to creating affordable housing for residents throughout Cleveland’s historic Black neighborhoods, they’re committed to redevelopment. Frontline also includes minority contractors and workers on all of its projects.

“We’re in real estate development, but it’s also about people development,” said Bennett. “These are our people. We’re going to make sure that they’re able to economically participate in this development.”

The recent Gordon Crossing project isn’t their first rodeo. In 2020, Frontline broke ground on its first housing development, Allen Estates, with Phase 1 comprising six homes designed by architect W. Dan Bickerstaff.

“Everything I’m trying to do is purposeful and speaks to the larger community,” Wright told The Land at the time. “We want people who look like us working on this project.”

Demand for the first project was high, with over 1,300 people applying to live in the 54-unit Gordon Crossing. Their next development includes a plan to close on Gateway 66, an 80-unit mixed-income apartment complex that sits next to the historic League Park in Hough, in July. Construction is set to begin in August.

Wright and Bennett pride themselves on using Gordon Crossing and Gateway 66 to create affordable housing during a time when many city and county officials argue that the “demand for affordable housing outstrips the demand.”

Gateway 66 will include units targeting both working-class and middle-class renters, including two-person families with incomes between $39,800 and $63,800.

by Ahsan Washington

April 25, 2026

The Foot Soldiers On The Frontline Of Sexual Assault Advocacy

These Black women lead the charge

In 2026, as BLACK ENTERPRISE reflects on the 25th anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the statistics remain sobering. According to the National Organization for Women (NOW), Black women are still 2.5 times more likely to experience sexual violence than their peers. Despite this disparity, they continue to experience significant barriers to safety, ranging from cultural stigma to institutional disbelief. However, phenomenal Black women stand in the gap, doing the work to ensure that all Black survivors of sexual assault and violence receive resources and support to thrive.

Tarana Burke

Long before it became a viral hashtag, Tarana Burke established the me too. movement in 2006, as a response to her work with Black girls who had experienced sexual violence but lacked resources and support systems. Burke developed the initiative through grassroots organizing and survivor-centered programming in the United States. Burke wanted to establish a language of solidarity and healing for survivors who came from marginalized communities. The movement achieved worldwide recognition in 2017, but its foundation remains focused on underserved populations who have experienced sexual trauma and on making sure survivors receive support.

The Movement: She emphasizes that while the media often focuses on individual bad actors, the movement is truly about dismantling the building blocks of sexual violence: power and privilege.
Vision: Burke advocates a cultural shift in which bodily autonomy is recognized as a basic human right, and survivors are not forced to “perform their pain” for public awareness.

Aishah Shahidah Simmons

Through storytelling, filmmaker and activist Aishah Shahidah Simmons has effectively addressed sexual violence in Black communities. The 2006 film, NO! The Rape Documentary became one of the first films to present Black survivor voices directly and boldly. Simmons operates out of Philadelphia, where she leads dialogues and workshops and conducts screenings to break the silence and stigma around sexual assault.

Impact: The film was ahead of its time, premiering 11 years before the global recognition of the #MeToo movement.

Current Work: Based in Philadelphia, she continues to lead “Generations of Struggle” dialogues and virtual screenings to foster transformative resistance and healing.

Farah Tanis

Farah Tanis serves as the executive director and co-founder of Black Women’s Blueprint and leads front-line efforts to address sexual violence in Black communities through culturally specific advocacy and healing programs. Tanis directs national campaigns to address sexual assault’s enduring effects from her Brooklyn, New York-based organization, which gave a groundbreaking 2016 United Nations testimony on Black women’s sexual violence legacy in the United States. Through policy work, international human rights collaboration, and grassroots programs, Tanis advances her fight against systemic inequities while elevating Black survivor voices.

Global Advocacy: In 2014, her organization issued the first-ever report to the UN regarding gendered racism and sexual assault against Black women in the U.S.

Key Focus: She highlights the “sexual abuse-to-prison pipeline” and demands state accountability for the historical and systemic exploitation of Black women’s bodies.

Monique W. Morris

Monique W. Morris, a researcher and advocate, has focused national attention on the intersection of sexual violence with Black girls’ treatment in schools and the juvenile justice system. Morris uses her book Pushout and her work with the National Black Women’s Justice Institute to show how Black girls who face abuse receive criminalization instead of support. Her advocacy work demands systems that focus on trauma-informed approaches to protect and heal individuals.

Initiatives: She co-leads the “Holding a Sister” initiative, which mobilizes resources specifically for trans girls and gender-expansive youth of color.

Philosophy: Her advocacy moves beyond addressing structural oppression to investing in the joy and liberated futures of marginalized youth.

by Shanique Yates

April 25, 2026

Two Black Yale Students Raise $5.1M To Build AI Networking Platform Series

Nathaneo Johnson and Sean Hargrow created the platform, Series, a next-generation social networking platform.

Two Black Yale students are on their way to building the next social network powered by artificial intelligence (AI).

When Nathaneo Johnson and Sean Hargrow first met during their freshman year at the Yale Entrepreneurial Society, they were interviewing founders and CEOs to better understand how to build a successful business. It was then that they “realized the power of warm connections,” according to an interview with TechCrunch.

That realization led them to introduce the concept of warm introductions through their platform, Series, a next-generation social networking platform.

With just a little over a year under its belt, Series has officially raised a $5.1 million pre-seed round, which includes Venmo co-founder Iqram Magdon-Ismail, Pear VC, Reddit CEO Steve Huffman, and GPTZero Founder Edwar Tian as its initial investors.

Deemed as the first social networking platform to work entirely through iMessage versus an AI app, Series users can text a phone number (Series AI) to explain who they are and who they aim to connect with.

Series AI then messages the user back via what are described as “shares,” a carousel of 10 images of others’ posts they can easily swipe through to find someone with an ask similar to their own. Each card includes the person’s photo and request, and users can tap the carousel photo to start a private conversation with another person without sharing their personal number, since the Series AI chat serves as the conversation’s home.

Johnson is currently studying computer science and economics at Yale, while Hargrow is studying neuroscience. As someone with firsthand experience in the evolution of technology, Johnson notes that the industry is shifting away from user interfaces toward conversational interfaces such as Google Search and ChatGPT.

After landing on the concept in March 2025, the duo began fundraising and built a team of eight to bring Series to what it is today.

Its first major marketing push was unconventional: a reality television show titled “The Series,” which streamed live via Twitch in August 2025.

“We’re rewriting the startup playbook,” Johnson told Forbes at the time. “If we’re going to capture attention, we have to build community in the most public way possible.”

Another unorthodox approach by the founders is that Hargrow and Johnson have decided to continue with school as they build Series from the ground up.

For Johnson, a smooth day can be thwarted by a lot of schoolwork, all while maintaining a team to run the company; however, it is a challenge he’s willing to accept.

“Your extra time outside of your supposed obligation can be used to catapult what you’re truly meant to do,” said Johnson. “People are often so scared to make use of their extra time.”

The Series will use its recent capital to hire more engineers, plans to expand product capabilities, and aims to stay on the East Coast, following a trend of young founders who are opting for what Johnson calls “Silicon Alley” rather than taking their talents out west to Silicon Valley.

First Black-Built, AI, Execution Platform

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 25, 2026

Richie Branson Presents Latest Creation, Tax Evaders Video Game

The retro-inspired game can be played in your web browser

Game developer Richie Branson partnered with All For America to release a new video game titled Tax Evaders.

The latest creation by Branson is a retro-inspired game that can be played in your web browser, combining humor and satire to tap into frustration over affordability in the United States.

“Video games just come a long way, not just from a way to unwind, but also to think about the real world,” said Branson in a written statement. “Sometimes, the real world gets put into video games, and it helps you understand it more, so I hope to see more of video games being used to express what’s going on in the world in the future.”

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A post shared by Marcus Brown II (@richiebranson)

A roaming digital billboard drew attention to the video game when it hit the streets of Washington, D.C., appearing at key locations, including the White House, U.S. Capitol, and the Department of Justice, on April 15 (Tax Day). When the billboard appeared on the streets, it traveled around the city, near high-traffic areas, to be seen by the public and by D.C. policymakers.

Tax Evaders was created to give players control of the current government — including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other politicians — to navigate it by dismantling pillars of everyday American life, including healthcare, housing, education, and food access. It also offers commentary on the systems that many feel are failing them.

“The issues we’re facing as Americans are serious and can’t be ignored. But the way many of us talk about them can feel divisive, insular, or even nonexistent, which ends up alienating people from conversations that affect them too,” says Lauren Bierman, president of All For America. “Tax Evaders was created as a fun, creative way to elevate these issues and bring more people into the conversation at a time when many feel overwhelmed or disconnected. Partnering with Richie Branson to help create it just made sense.”

Interested people can play Tax Evaders at playtaxevaders.com.

by Ann Brown

April 25, 2026

NYC Mayor Mamdani Opens Deed Theft Office After Protest Highlights Black Homeowners Losing Family Homes

Deed theft can wipe out generations of family wealth.

On April 14, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a new Office of Deed Theft Prevention after the April 22 arrest of City Councilmember Chi Ossé brought renewed attention to the ongoing threat of deed theft to Black and other New York City homeowners.

The office will be led by attorney Peter White, a longtime housing advocate who has handled deed theft litigation, foreclosures, bankruptcy, and landlord-tenant disputes, The City reports.

“The establishment of this office and the work going forward is an act of empathy for people,” White said during the announcement in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. “I see it as a direct correlation and an extension of the work that I’ve previously done. I’m excited to get this going.”

Deed theft often occurs through forged documents, foreclosure-rescue scams, and misleading sales that strip longtime homeowners of their properties. This can wipe out generations of family wealth in the process.

“The theft of a home is the theft of a family’s future,” Mamdani said in a statement. “Deed theft preys on the New Yorkers who can least afford it. Today, we are bringing the full force of city government to bear to stop it -– to protect homeowners, defend generational wealth and make clear that this city will not tolerate the exploitation of our communities.”

The issue exploded into public view after Ossé was arrested while protesting the eviction of Carmella Charrington from her family’s Bedford-Stuyvesant brownstone. Her supporters argue she is a victim of deed theft, though the New York Attorney General’s office said the matter was determined to be a property dispute rather than deed theft, News 12 reports.

Still, Ossé says the broader issue remains urgent, especially in historically Black neighborhoods like Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights, where rising property values have made longtime residents targets for predatory developers.

“Black displacement is happening right now in Bed-Stuy and Carmella is one of many Black homeowners battling deed theft in Brooklyn,” Ossé’s office said in a statement. “Not another Black homeowner should have their home stolen.”

For Black New Yorkers, deed theft has become more than a legal issue; it is tied directly to gentrification and generational wealth loss. Families who have owned brownstones for decades are often pushed out through complicated legal battles, foreclosures, or deceptive transfers, PIX 11 reports.

“It’s patently unfair,” White said of the racial and economic targeting. “I want to help stop it.”

White says the new office will focus on early detection, homeowner education, and helping families recover stolen homes. Even residents who are unsure whether they are facing deed theft will be able to seek help.

“Having a dedicated office that is creating awareness and educating people will help them figure out if they’re dealing with deed theft or not, or point them in the right direction to seek help even if they’re not dealing with deed theft,” Ossé told The City.

by Shanique Yates

April 25, 2026

‘Michael’ Estimated To Have Record-Breaking $80M Domestic Box Office Debut

The movie has received less-than-favorable reviews from film critics and controversy over claims that it whitewashes Jackson’s life by leaving out serious child sexual abuse allegations.

Michael Jackson’s star power endures, as evidenced by the dazzling box office success of his latest biopic.

The Lionsgate picture, aptly titled “Michael,” is expected to exceed expectations, with a domestic box office debut quickly approaching $90 million, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Directed by Training Day’s Antoine Fuqua, “Michael” features Jafaar Jackson as his late uncle, Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael Jackson, Nia Long as his mother, Katherine Jackson, and Colman Domingo as his father, Joe Jackson.

Despite less-than-favorable reviews from film critics, including an initial Rotten Tomatoes score of 27% (which has since risen to 38%), “Michael” has received praise from fans and has seen numbers to match, with a 97% Popcornmeter rating on the platform.

There has also been controversy over claims that it whitewashes Jackson’s life by leaving out serious child sexual abuse allegations.

The film already achieved notable success, earning $12.6 million on Wednesday and Thursday previews, placing it neck and neck with the current 2026 box-office hit “Hail Project Mary,” released in March.

Variety reports that the film is on track to earn $65 million to $75 million in its opening weekend; however, some believe it will make as much as $80 million. Should the predictions hold, Michael will surpass 2015’s “Straight Outta Compton,” which currently holds the record for a musical biopic debuting at $60 million in its opening weekend.

“Michael” is already one of the most expensive biopics of all time, having cost roughly $170 million to produce. It may easily generate a major return on its investment if the calculations show it clears $180 million globally at its debut, thanks to Jackson’s star power overseas and in the United States.

It has currently smashed records for the biggest opening day ever for a biopic in France, the U.K., Ireland, Italy, and Australia, with a combined total of $7.5 million. The film also received $651,000 in previews in Brazil, making it the biggest ever for a non-superhero, non-franchise film in the market.

“Michael” follows Jackson’s early days as a member of the Jackson 5 alongside his brothers, to becoming one of the biggest stars to grace the earth. Despite praise from fans and fellow entertainers like Usher, Missy Elliott, and a host of others, the film has been criticized by film critics who believe that it erased the child abuse claims that were first brought against him 30 years ago.

It is important to note, however, that the initial screenplay for “Michael” included the 1993 lawsuit that first accused Jackson of child sexual abuse. Jackson denied all claims. This was just one of many reasons the film had to undergo major reshoots after producers discovered a clause in the settlement with the young accuser that prevented any depiction or mention of him in film or television.

While there are many commentaries on the film’s timeline, a note just before the credits roll reads “His Story Continues.” Lionsgate plans to make at least one more film about Jackson’s life, should the film achieve the success it is currently headed for.

by Shanique Yates

April 25, 2026

Donald Trump Mocks Candace Owens In Public Rant, Calls Her A ‘Low-IQ’ Individual

Trump also posted a crafted TIME magazine cover featuring an unflattering image of Owens.

Conservative political commentator Candace Owens is the latest subject of Donald Trump’s online tirade.

Known for being a controversial figure in right-wing politics, Owens is recognized for her support of Trump’s criticism of progressive ideologies; however, her latest comments about the first lady of France, Brigitte Macron, have created a rift between the two, according to TheGrio.

“Her attack on the First Lady of France is despicable, wrote Trump in a post shared to his Truth Social network. “I believe, in this case, without verification, she is an extremely low-IQ individual!”

French President Emmanuel Macron, who happens to be a close friend of the current U.S. president, recently sued Owens for defamation after she had repeatedly accused his wife of being a trans woman.

Along with the note he shared on social media, Trump posted a crafted TIME magazine cover featuring an unflattering image of Owens, accompanied by additional blurbs directed at taunting the American conservative commentator, author, and media personality.

“Candace Ownes Lies, Lies, Lies,” read one. Another says, “Uses Rich White Men!”

“O% Fact Check Ration On All Credible Fact Checking Sites,” says another comment featured on the right side of the mock cover story. The last note reads “Protects Sex Offenders.”

Owens is among the conservative influencers who have recently denounced support of Trump, calling out his war on Iran and his administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files after previously openly supporting him.

Earlier this month, Owens also referred to Trump as a “genocidal lunatic.” She also called for his removal by way of the 25th Amendment following his threats to wipe out Iranian civilization.

Owens isn’t the only person to have shifted their stance on Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement after initially being a loyal supporter. She now joins people like Megyn Kelly, Alex Jones, and Tucker Carlson on the ongoing list of people the 47th U.S. President has publicly slammed in recent rants.

He also used Truth Social to slam Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, who currently serves as Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Hakeem ‘High Tax’ Jeffries is a low-IQ individual who is not smart enough to be “running” the Democrat Party, and certainly not smart enough to be involved in running the United States of America. It’s people like this who almost destroyed our Nation with their High Tax, Open Border Policies. In the future, Hakeem, a fine American name, will forever be known as HIGH TAX!”

Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene responded to Trump’s post about Owens via X.

“President Trump hates women he can’t control, who don’t worship him, women who actually worship God, and are more intelligent than he is,” she wrote. “Women like @RealCandaceO.”

https://twitter.com/mtgreenee/status/2047872240297869398

Taylor Greene was once a fiercely loyal Trump supporter who resigned from her position following a public feud with the president.

“This cruel post about Candace looks like something Laura Loomer would conjure up as she gives Trump his talking points, policy decisions, and political advice, which is literally destroying him and the Republican Party,” the post continued.

Loomer responded to Taylor Greene’s claims that the only people Trump has fired or privately requested to leave are women.

“He has a female Chief of Staff and most of his cabinet positions are filled by women,” wrote Loomer via X. “Trump has always been kind to me.”

She also praised Trump for his post about Owens, adding her own commentary, “‘Vile Person of the Year.’ More like the century.”

At this time, Owens has not responded to Trump’s latest attacks.

by Ann Brown

April 25, 2026

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Says White Men Are ‘Disfavored,’ Signs Bill Banning Local DEI Funding

Local civil rights leaders have pushed back.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a new law that bans counties and cities from funding or promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, while declaring that white men have become the most “disfavored” group under DEI policies.

The Republican governor signed SB 1134 in Jacksonville on April 22, saying the legislation is necessary to stop what he describes as taxpayer-funded “identity politics” and discrimination disguised as inclusion, the Associated Press reports.

“Floridians should not be forced to pay for radical climate agendas or identity politics with their hard-earned tax dollars,” said DeSantis in a press statement. “Today in Jacksonville, I signed two important bills to limit government overreach and prevent local authorities from imposing carbon taxes and discriminatory DEI mandates on Floridians.”

The new law prohibits local governments from establishing DEI offices, officers, or programs and bars taxpayer money from being used for DEI-related initiatives or outside contractors promoting those efforts. Grant recipients must certify that public funds will not support DEI activities, and local officials found in violation could face removal from office.

Supporters of the bill, including state Sen. Clay Yarborough, argued that local governments have spent millions on divisive programming instead of essential services.

“The bill is necessary because cities and counties have been funding and promoting divisive activities under the guise of DEI,” Yarborough said. “Decisions related to individuals and actions should be based on merit.”

Civil rights advocates strongly pushed back.

Evelyn Foxx, president of the NAACP branch in Gainesville, dismissed DeSantis’ argument.

“If you talked to 100 white men, they wouldn’t feel the same way,” Foxx said, reports the Associated Press. “The governor is out of touch with people, and that is the bottom line.”

Genesis Robinson, executive director of Florida-based nonprofit Equal Ground, said the law threatens programs that help minority communities access public contracts and address long-standing inequities.

“Supporters will claim this is about ‘merit.’ It is not,” he said in a written statement, according to the Florida Phoenix.

“We know what ‘merit’ looks like in systems that were never designed with us in mind. Black communities have had to navigate redlining, underfunded schools, discriminatory lending, and inequitable contracting and still built thriving businesses, families, and institutions. DEI did not hand out opportunities. It helped level a playing field that has long been tilted.”

Seattle Storm, University of Michigan Wolverines

by Kandiss Edwards

April 25, 2026

Amazon Prime Enlists WNBA Legends For 2026 Broadcast Lineup

The WNBA's 30th season tips off on May 8.

Ahead of the WNBA’s 30th season, Prime Video has unveiled a star-studded broadcast lineup.

The new roster is anchored by legendary figures Cynthia Cooper, game and studio analyst, and Teresa (T-Spoon) Weatherspoon, studio analyst, both of whom have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

In the studio are two more icons: Candace Parker and Swin Cash, who form an experienced commentary team with a double-digit count of WNBA championships and MVP awards. The talent also includes Duke University head coach Kara Lawson, Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Lindsey Harding, and longtime analyst LaChina Robinson. The collective of legends boasts a combined double-digit count of WNBA championships and MVP awards.

Amina Hussein, Prime Sports head of on-air talent and development, said the team brings “championship experience, broadcasting excellence, and fresh perspectives.” And the timing couldn’t be better. In addition to a historic season, the WNBA will debut two new teams: the Toronto Tempo—the WNBA’s first Canadian franchise—and the Portland Fire.

https://twitter.com/SportsonPrime/status/2047344766287798364

Allie Clifton will serve as the studio host for the newly introduced pregame, halftime, and postgame shows. Play-by-play duties will be handled by Michael Grady, Lisa Byington, and Mike Watts, while JayDee Dyer, Kayla Grey, and Morgan Ragan have been named as sideline reporters.

Prime Video’s 2026 coverage will feature 30 exclusive regular-season games and the Commissioner’s Cup. Industry analysts view the “talent pivot” as a strategic move to capture the surging global interest in the league, ensuring that the presentation of the game matches the high level of competition on the court. The 30th season starts Friday, May 8.

This video provides an overview of the legendary careers of the new broadcast team members, highlighting the championship moments they will bring to their analysis for Prime Video.