MIAMI — A new professional women’s basketball league called Unrivaled is set to kick off this Friday, featuring competitive 3-on-3 games among six teams vying for the championship title. Here’s what you need to know about the league’s structure, gameplay, and viewing options.
The Unrivaled season runs from this Friday until March 17. Games are primarily scheduled for Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays, with two matches per night broadcasted on TNT or TruTV. Candace Parker, a former WNBA star and basketball commentator, will headline a studio show during the broadcasts.
The league boasts a roster of 36 players from the WNBA, divided into six teams—each consisting of six players. Unrivaled was co-founded by WNBA All-Stars and Olympic gold medalists Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, both of whom will participate as players. Fans can also expect to see notable WNBA talents such as Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally, Alyssa Thomas, Angel Reese, and Arike Ogunbowale competing in this exciting new league.
In terms of compensation, nearly all players in the league will earn six-figure salaries, making this the highest average salary in women’s sports to date, with over $8 million allocated for player salaries. Additionally, players will have a chance to own an equity stake in the league. In a noteworthy twist, there will also be a 1-on-1 tournament set for February, with the winner taking home $250,000, and each player from the winning Unrivaled team receiving $10,000.
The games will take place in Miami at a newly constructed venue that seats 850 fans. The six teams in the league—Laces, Mist, Rose, Lunar Owls, Phantom, and Vinyl—will compete on a unique court measuring 72 feet by 49.2 feet, which is significantly smaller than the traditional WNBA court.
Competition will follow a set of tailored rules for Unrivaled matchups. Each game will consist of three quarters, each lasting seven minutes, followed by a fourth quarter without a time limit. Teams will play to a designated “winning score,” which is determined by adding 11 points to the team leading after three quarters. For instance, if a team leads 60-55 after the third quarter, the game will conclude once a team reaches 71 points.
“Every game, we will have a game-winning shot,” remarked Alex Bazzell, the president of Unrivaled. “That was important for us because coming out of the third quarter, there’s no mystery about what you need to do.”
When players draw shooting fouls, there will be only a single free throw attempt, and its value will correspond to the type of shot taken. A successful free throw after a foul on a three-pointer counts for three points, while a foul on a two-point shot is worth two points, and an and-1 scenario grants one additional point.
The league will implement an 18-second shot clock, a reduction from the 24 seconds used in the WNBA, with the clock halting on made baskets during the final 30 seconds of each quarter, as opposed to the last minute in traditional games.
Players will also benefit from several amenities provided by Unrivaled. Facilities include a modern weight room, a glamour room for social media content creation, and personalized chef service. Players will also be accommodated at no cost in two-bedroom apartments and provided with rental cars to facilitate their stay.
“We’ve been very well cared for at the facility; they always have meals and snacks ready for us, and the fridges are consistently stocked,” shared Rae Burrell, a player for the Los Angeles Sparks.