There are rivalries that are born on the court… and others that aren’t even real rivalries, but still end up taking over the sports conversation. This time, the women’s basketball world isn’t talking about an actual WNBA matchup, but about a film that is already making noise before even hitting production: Courtside, a romantic comedy set inside the world of professional basketball.
The project is currently in active development and is being driven by Run-A-Muck through its sports division REIGN. The screenplay is written by Brittani Nichols, with Carly Usdin set to direct. There is still no confirmed release date or platform, but the intention is clear: bring this story to life as part of the growing wave of sports-driven content with a more personal, emotional angle.
So what is it actually about? The story follows a star women’s basketball player dealing with injuries and competitive pressure, until her life takes a turn when she begins to form an emotional connection with a teammate. And that’s where things shift into a different tone: what does something like that look like in a world where everything happens under the same roof of elite performance?
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Real players stepping into a fictional story
One of the most talked-about aspects of the project is that it doesn’t stay fully in fiction. Gabby Williams, Sydney Colson, and Theresa Plaisance are all set to appear in the film, with Colson also serving as an executive producer, bringing an inside perspective from within the WNBA itself.
They are joined by Jennifer Beals, co-founder of the production company and widely known for The L Word, connecting the project to a broader cultural space where sports and personal relationships have long intersected on screen.
On social media, the reaction has been immediate. Fans of women’s basketball have started reacting with curiosity and excitement, highlighting the mix of sport and romantic comedy inside a WNBA-inspired setting.
And that leads to another question already circulating online: can this feel like a “rivalry” on screen, even if there is no real rivalry inside the league?
The buzz building before the release
Sydney Colson has described the project as a blend of sport, comedy, and personal dynamics within professional basketball. And even without finished footage or a confirmed release, the concept has already started gaining momentum online.
Because the context matters too: the WNBA is currently experiencing a surge in cultural visibility, where what happens off the court is becoming just as conversation-worthy as what happens during the game.