Unrivaled Basketball League: A Game-Changer for Women’s Sports

Medley, Fla. – Angel Reese Thrives in the New League

Angel Reese is truly enjoying her experience in the newly launched Unrivaled basketball league. In a recent social media post, she expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "We get to work out, use the weight room, create new bonds and friendships, enjoy treatments, get massages, utilize the sauna, and even have two meals a day followed by a facial before I leave for the day? Yeah, I love it here!”

Unrivaled: A New Era for Women’s Basketball

While these perks may seem standard for professional athletes, they represent a significant shift for WNBA players like Reese before the inception of Unrivaled this month. Founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, this new 3-on-3 women’s basketball league set out to revolutionize the landscape of women’s sports by creating a structure that prioritizes player welfare and empowerment.

Starting this Friday, Unrivaled features six teams comprising 36 of the best female basketball players globally, including stars like Sabrina Ionescu and Brittney Griner. Over the next nine weeks, these athletes will compete in electrifying 3-on-3 games, culminating in a championship match on March 17. Fans can watch the games on TNT, TruTV, and Max.

A Competitive and Supportive Environment

Unrivaled aims to create a viable offseason alternative for players, reducing the necessity for long overseas commitments and challenging the existing pay structures within women’s sports. With ownership and equity opportunities on the table, players can earn up to 15% equity based on their WNBA accomplishments. The league boasts a total salary pool of $8 million, resulting in an average player salary of around $222,222 for the brief, nine-week season. In stark contrast, the average WNBA salary was less than $120,000 last year.

Collier emphasizes the importance of recognizing women’s contributions to sports, stating, "There’s such an explosion in women’s sports right now, and it kinda felt like everyone was profiting instead of the women in the sport. From day one, we wanted to provide equity to every player to help grow generational wealth and ensure these players are compensated fairly."

Prioritizing Player Experience and Well-being

Beyond competitive play, Unrivaled offers its players essential support, including proper nutrition, training facilities, rehabilitation equipment, and childcare. Collaborating with Sephora, they provide a dedicated makeup room for players to prepare for interviews and events, further enhancing their experience.

During a recent press conference, several players voiced hope that their positive experiences with Unrivaled could influence negotiations in the upcoming review of the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement. Reese articulated, "This is what women deserve: to wake up every day without having to worry about anything. I come in for breakfast, treatment, and to access the gym whenever I want. Everything we need is right here."

Creating a Unique Style of Play

Unrivaled will host its games and broadcasts from a converted Mediapro North American warehouse, now a fully equipped basketball facility located just miles from Miami International Airport. The venue includes a main arena, practice court, and dedicated locker rooms.

Players and coaches arrived in South Florida earlier this month, settling into apartments just minutes from the facility. They will represent six teams: Laces, Lunar Owls, Mist, Phantom, Rose, and Vinyl, introducing a fresh style of play that emphasizes speed and agility.

Games are set for Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays, with Tuesdays designated as rest days. "It’s a really fun style of basketball,” noted Laces coach Andrew Wade, who is also an assistant with the WNBA’s Washington Mystics. "Removing two players from the court means everyone is involved in every play. With a shorter court, possessions happen every five seconds, keeping players in constant action. Plus, every game features the best players in the world – it’s like an all-star game every match."

A Bright Future for Women’s Sports

Unrivaled is not just a league; it’s a crucial opportunity to expand the visibility and support for women’s sports in America. With an impressive $35 million in funding raised through high-profile investors, including former U.S. soccer stars Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, NBA player Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Olympian Michael Phelps, among others, the league’s foundation is strong.

Reese summarizes the sentiment perfectly, saying, “This is a breath of fresh air. Who doesn’t want to be in Unrivaled?”

As the league embarks on its journey, its impact on player welfare, equity in contracts, and the overall landscape of women’s sports is set to resonate widely, paving the way for a bright future.