Unrivaled is poised to redefine women’s basketball before even launching its inaugural game. The key factor driving this transformation? Salaries.
This new 3-on-3 league, founded by Olympic gold medalists Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, is set to kick off on Friday, featuring an impressive roster of 36 players from the WNBA, including notable figures such as Brittney Griner and rookie sensation Angel Reese.
Unrivaled boasts the highest average salaries in professional women’s sports, with many players earning six-figure incomes throughout the eight-week season. The average salary here exceeds $220,000, nearing the maximum base salary found in the WNBA.
“We’re incredibly proud that each player here is earning more per game than athletes in any league worldwide,” explained Alex Bazzell, the President of Unrivaled. “Our goal is to establish a new standard for salary expectations on the court.”
He further emphasized, “While many athletes already make substantial earnings off the court, it’s crucial that the best talents in the world are compensated fairly for their basketball skills.”
With substantial financial backing, Unrivaled is setting itself up as a viable women’s league. Leading up to its launch, it successfully secured over $35 million from various investors, including prominent individuals such as Dawn Staley, Geno Auriemma, and Coco Gauff. The league has also partnered with brands like Ally, State Farm, and Under Armour, alongside a multi-year media agreement with TNT Sports, although specifics regarding these partnerships have yet to be disclosed.
The league will feature games played on a smaller court and adopt different rules than the WNBA, including an 18-second shot clock, which Bazzell promises will deliver a faster-paced, thrilling basketball experience during the WNBA’s offseason.
Even with optimism surrounding its launch, questions regarding the sustainability of Unrivaled’s model linger. Christina DePasquale, an associate professor of economics at Johns Hopkins, suggests that while the league has secured significant funding, its long-term success will ultimately rely on television ratings and continued interest from advertisers in subsequent years.
“Their current situation looks promising,” she noted. “With strong capital support, a host of co-owners, and multiple sponsors behind them, they certainly have a solid foundation.”
Bazzell revealed that Unrivaled has a salary pool exceeding $8 million, which does not include equity and revenue-sharing payments available to the initial group of 36 players. With all games set to occur in Miami at a venue with 850 seats, the league can minimize travel costs, allowing higher player salaries. This setup also offers an alternative for players seeking to enhance their WNBA earnings without heading overseas during the off-season.
“Our intent is not to be just a fleeting moment in sports history,” asserted Bazzell. “We are here for the long haul.”
The league is also actively working to attract future talent, having forged NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) agreements with stars like Paige Bueckers from UConn and Flau’Jae Johnson from LSU, with Bueckers expected to join Unrivaled next season.
The launch of Unrivaled comes at a key moment, focusing on the rights and earning potentials of WNBA players. “We finally have the opportunity to receive what we truly deserve,” commented Reese, pointing out the added pressure on the WNBA, especially with a new collective bargaining agreement on the horizon.
As WNBA players’ union has begun negotiations to opt out of its current collective bargaining agreement, Bazzell expressed optimism about the potential impact of Unrivaled on player salaries and benefits across the board.
DePasquale believes that the rise of Unrivaled could enhance opportunities for the WNBA rather than detract from it. “The success of Unrivaled can coexist with the WNBA,” she emphasized during a phone conversation. “Both leagues can benefit from each other.”
Griner shares a similar perspective, stating, “Unrivaled demonstrates that pooling resources can be accomplished efficiently.” She noted that a complacent attitude regarding existing conditions would not suffice, emphasizing that Unrivaled’s emergence will likely incentivize the WNBA to enhance its offerings.
Players in Unrivaled have been enjoying various amenities during their two weeks in Miami, such as access to a personal chef, luxurious two-bedroom apartments, a glamour room, and rental vehicles. “Unrivaled is showcasing a powerful business model focused on elevating players’ roles and influence,” said WNBA agent Lindsay Kagawa Colas. “The players and sponsors are collaborating as partners because the product is diverse and incredibly engaging.”
Additionally, for the half-dozen parents participating in the league, Unrivaled is providing childcare stipends and a state-of-the-art childcare facility. “Game nights are designed to be family-friendly, allowing players to drop their children off and even enjoy a date night if they’re not playing,” Bazzell explained. “We truly strive to create a family atmosphere.”
Although some of the top players, like A’ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark, are not involved, Unrivaled benefits significantly from the star power of the participating WNBA athletes. “This league is akin to a gathering of superstars,” DePasquale noted, highlighting how such recognition will help attract viewers consistently. “Unlike many other spinning-off leagues, this is not meant to be a minor league.”
