West Virginia Women’s Basketball Makes History with Groundbreaking PlayStation Partnership and Game Cover Feature
In a monumental shift for women’s collegiate athletics, the West Virginia Mountaineers women’s basketball team has etched its name into sports and gaming history. PlayStation has officially announced a groundbreaking partnership with the program, making WVU the first-ever women’s collegiate team to be featured on the cover of the highly anticipated 2026 “College Hoops: Rise to Glory” basketball video game. The announcement sent shockwaves through the sports world and was accompanied by a powerful promotional video that quickly went viral across social media platforms.
This unprecedented collaboration signals a major leap forward in the representation of women in sports media and gaming. For decades, video game covers have primarily showcased male athletes and programs, but this historic pivot by PlayStation is being hailed as a cultural milestone—and a long-overdue celebration of female excellence on the court.
The Mountaineers, under head coach Dawn Staley—who took the reins in a surprise move last year—have been dominating the NCAA with their fierce style of play, national top-5 ranking, and a culture of unity and resilience. Their 2025 Final Four run and massive television ratings made them a prime candidate for such a high-profile spotlight.
The cover art features senior phenom Janelle “Jet” Harrison in mid-air, unleashing a thunderous dunk—an iconic image that symbolizes the breaking of long-standing barriers. Harrison, a projected No. 1 WNBA draft pick, expressed her awe at the announcement: “This is about more than us. It’s about every young girl who ever picked up a basketball and dreamed big. Now they get to see themselves in the game—literally.”
As part of the partnership, PlayStation will also sponsor a multi-million-dollar facility upgrade at WVU, complete with cutting-edge training simulators, NIL support for athletes, and the first women’s-only esports initiative tied to a college athletics program.
This partnership not only redefines how female athletes are perceived in media but elevates the West Virginia Mountaineers as a symbol of innovation, inclusivity, and undeniable excellence.
History has been made—and the game will never be the same.
