LOS ANGELES -- The Sporting Tribune and the John R. Wooden Award announced a new content partnership that will elevate coverage of college basketball’s most prestigious honor as it approaches its landmark 50th anniversary ceremony in 2026.
The collaboration brings together The Sporting Tribune’s experienced team of writers and photographers with the Wooden Award’s legacy as the most respected award in college basketball.
As part of the collaboration, The Sporting Tribune will expand its coverage to spotlight players under consideration for the Wooden Award throughout the college basketball season. This enhanced national focus will begin with on-site reporting from the 2025 State Farm Champions Classic in New York, where Michigan State faces Kentucky and Kansas meets Duke at Madison Square Garden. The four programs have deep Wooden Award histories and multiple past winners.
“We’re incredibly honored to work alongside the Wooden Award heading into its 50th anniversary,” said Arash Markazi, founder and CEO of The Sporting Tribune. “Coach Wooden’s legacy is unmatched, and this partnership allows us to bring fans even closer to the players and coaches who embody his standard of excellence.”
The Sporting Tribune’s coverage will include features, interviews, long-form storytelling, video content, and archival retrospectives celebrating the award’s storied history. The outlet will also work closely with the Los Angeles Athletic Club, which administers the Wooden Award, to collaborate on content tied to major announcements, national ballots, and postseason honors.
Founded in 2022, The Sporting Tribune has quickly expanded its reach across Southern California, Las Vegas and Hawai‘i, with comprehensive reporting on professional sports teams, major college programs and some of the biggest events in global sports. The partnership with the Wooden Award marks the brand’s latest step toward broader national coverage as it continues to grow its audience and editorial offerings.
The Wooden Award’s 50th anniversary celebration will culminate in April 2026 with a weekend of events hosted in Southern California, honoring past winners, finalists, and the enduring impact of Coach Wooden’s philosophy on generations of athletes and coaches.