NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Alysha Clark is eager to change the perception that the leagues Athletes Unlimited and Unrivaled are competing against one another in women’s basketball. She asserts that these leagues do not force players to make a choice between them but rather offer valuable offseason opportunities that allow athletes to play basketball closer to home, complementing their WNBA earnings.
“It addresses the issues that we’ve had as players for so many years,” Clark explained. “We’ve all experienced having to go overseas and the sacrifices that come with being away from family and friends just to earn a living … But now we have options.”
This marks Clark’s inaugural season with Athletes Unlimited, which is currently in its fourth overall season. The three-time WNBA champion, known for her roots as a standout in Tennessee, initially played at Belmont before transferring to Middle Tennessee. The newly established Unrivaled league kicked off on January 17, and in Clark’s view, Unrivaled provides top-tier players an alternative offseason path, while Athletes Unlimited serves as a critical platform for other players looking to develop their skills and secure their positions on WNBA rosters.
The existence of multiple professional women’s basketball leagues in the U.S. for offseason play is a far cry from the limited options available just 15 years ago. “It’s beautiful for our game, and I’m thrilled to be part of this movement while helping create further opportunities,” Clark said, recalling her struggles to secure a place on a WNBA team after being cut in her early seasons. “I hope to see this expansion continue so that players have numerous avenues to explore, and really invest in each of those options.”
In terms of the format, Athletes Unlimited features a four-team league consisting of 5-on-5 basketball with a total of 24 games scheduled to take place in Nashville, starting Wednesday night at Municipal Auditorium. In contrast, Unrivaled offers 3-on-3 games with six teams competing in a total of 44 regular season contests held in Miami.
Kia Nurse, a three-time Olympian, opted for Athletes Unlimited, believing it to be the better fit for her preparation ahead of the upcoming WNBA season due to its full-sized court. The condensed schedule also accommodates her role as a broadcast analyst for the NBA’s Toronto Raptors.
“This was the perfect opportunity, and it was a perfect time,” Nurse shared. “It’s only a five-week season, so my absence from many Raptors games won’t be significant. My bosses were supportive of me going for this, and I’m really excited about it.”
Athletes Unlimited has room for 40 players, while Unrivaled has 36 slots, which means nearly double the women can remain in the United States instead of heading overseas for competition. “It’s about growing the game,” Nurse said, emphasizing the importance of visibility. “When you turn on the TV, whether it’s a 5-on-5 or 3-on-3 game, you’re contributing to the growth of women’s basketball, and that’s crucial.”
Among notable WNBA players participating in Athletes Unlimited are Maddy Siegrist, Kiersten Bell, Sydney Colson, Alissa Pili, and Lexie Brown, who has been an integral part of AU Pro Basketball dating back to its Las Vegas inception in 2022. Players earn points for both team victories and their individual performances, with a prominent scoreboard tracking progress. The teams are restructured weekly and the season’s top four point-leaders step in as captains to draft their teams, thereby gaining practical experience in leadership and coaching.
At the end of the season, the player accumulating the most points is crowned the individual champion. Previous winners include Tianna Hawkins, NaLyssa Smith, and Allisha Gray.
When discussing salaries, Megan Perry, the director of basketball for Athletes Unlimited, refrained from diving into specifics but indicated that contracts are competitive and designed to attract top talent. Meanwhile, Unrivaled boasts the highest average salary among professional women’s sports leagues, with several players earning six-figure incomes for the eight-week season and an average salary exceeding $220,000, closely aligned with the WNBA’s maximum base pay.
Both leagues anticipate competition for viewership during their Friday and Saturday broadcasts, as games from each league coincide. Athletes Unlimited’s games are scheduled for Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays on ESPN+, in addition to the WNBA app and the FanDuel Sports Network. There will also be a week where games are featured on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays; this means the final week will have games spread over Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Unrivaled plans to broadcast games on Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays via TNT and Tru TV.
For Theresa Plaisance, who celebrated a WNBA title in 2022 with the Las Vegas Aces, this being her third season with Athletes Unlimited aligns seamlessly with the sports calendar. “We need more consistency in women’s sports. The fact that we have this option, followed by March Madness, then the WNBA draft and subsequent training camps … I really enjoy this structure,” Plaisance expressed. “It has worked out perfectly.”
Several players in Athletes Unlimited have strong ties to Tennessee. Nashville native Isabelle Harrison plays alongside her sister, Dorie, in a family of 10 siblings, which bodes well for ticket sales. She is one of three former Lady Vols participating, including Jordan Horston, who earned a spot on the 2023 WNBA All-Rookie team with Seattle, and Meighan Simmons.
Athletes Unlimited aimed to host games in Nashville because of the state’s rich history in women’s basketball. The league announced its decision last fall and recently declared plans to pursue a WNBA expansion franchise in the city. The attendance rates for this women’s professional league are likely to be observed closely by WNBA officials when considering potential new team bids.
Players from Tennessee are optimistic about fan turnout. Clark has witnessed firsthand the enthusiasm of fans traveling from all corners of the state to catch competitive women’s basketball. “That’s the legacy that’s here,” Clark remarked.
