The Unrivaled League, a new 3-on-3 women's basketball league, is set to launch in eight months. The league will boast the highest average salary in women's professional sports history and offer players equity stakes.
The Unrivaled League, led by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, is poised to transform women's basketball. With a debut date on the horizon, the league has set ambitious goals to empower its athletes both financially and professionally.
Players in the Unrivaled League will earn no less than six figures, a significant increase from the average WNBA base salary of approximately $130,000. According to Collier, the league's unique equity stake model will provide athletes with a substantial opportunity to grow their wealth.
"Compensation is a huge part of Unrivaled as a league and a business. All the players in this first year will have equity in the league," Collier stated. "It's something we're really excited about."
The WNBA's current salary structure has driven many players to supplement their income by playing overseas during the offseason. The Unrivaled League aims to address this issue by offering salaries comparable or higher to those in the WNBA.
Stewart emphasized the benefits beyond initial salaries, highlighting the opportunity for players to build brand partnerships that are often unavailable in traditional women's basketball leagues. "It's more than just an initial salary, but showing these companies who you are as a player," she said.
The Unrivaled League's format will consist of eight weeks of competition, with 30 players divided into six teams. Games will be played on a court two-thirds the size of a WNBA court, with a shortened quarter length. Team rosters will remain constant throughout the season.
To fund the launch of the league, Unrivaled has secured investments from a star-studded group that includes former NBA stars Carmelo Anthony and Steve Nash, American soccer icons Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, actor Ashton Kutcher, and legendary women's college basketball coach Geno Auriemma.
"Investing in women's sports there's a ROI for it now," said Unrivaled President Alex Bazzell. "We wanted to have a group of people we could call up and say 'Hey can you help in this area?'"
Stewart acknowledged the progress made since the league's inception two years ago, expressing confidence in its potential. "There's nothing not to like about it, the only thing people are scared of is that it's in its first year," she said.
The Unrivaled League is poised to break new ground in women's basketball, empowering athletes with financial stability, equity stakes, and a platform to showcase their skills. As the league prepares for its debut, it is anticipated to reshape the landscape of women's professional sports for years to come.
