Close Menu
Login
Money

Unrivaled Fuels Ambition and Investment in Women’s Basketball

Vickie HelmBy No Comments5 Mins Read
Unrivaled Fuels Ambition And Investment In Women's Basketball

What do nine WTA titles, 28 gold medals, two Women’s World Cup triumphs, and an NBA Championship have in common?

They converge in Unrivaled, a groundbreaking women’s basketball league that has successfully attracted an estimated $35 million in investment. This funding comes from a host of prominent figures, including Coco Gauff, Michael Phelps, Alex Morgan, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, marking a significant advancement in the pursuit of greater opportunities and visibility for women’s basketball.

Founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, Unrivaled serves as an innovative off-season alternative, designed to showcase talent and elevate the women’s game.

Unrivaled Sets New Salary Milestones in Women’s Sports

In a significant move to address ongoing challenges surrounding sponsorship and funding in women’s sports, major brands like Under Armour, Miller Lite, Samsung Galaxy, and Sephora have stepped forward with partnership agreements. Each of the original 36 players in Unrivaled will receive equity ownership alongside a salary exceeding $220,000.

This league’s inception follows a remarkable season for the WNBA and women’s sports in general, with television viewership ratings in 2023 soaring by 170%, averaging 1.2 million viewers during regular season games. In comparison, the opening matches of Unrivaled averaged 312,000 viewers, peaking at 364,000.

The inaugural season kicked off on January 17, with games televised on TNT Sports, which has also signed a multi-year broadcasting deal with the league. Warner Bros’ streaming platform, Max, will cover the games as part of a six-year deal valued at approximately $100 million, while international audiences can catch the action live on YouTube.

A Dynamic and Fast-Paced Game Format

Departing from the conventional five-on-five setup, Unrivaled features a thrilling three-on-three style of basketball that gained popularity at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The league has introduced a smaller full court while retaining the positions of Guard, Forward, and Center. An 18-second shot clock with a 12-second reset has been implemented, along with a unique free throw system that allows for one shot worth two to three points, depending on where the foul occurred. Each game features three seven-minute periods, followed by a final period played until a team reaches a target score—11 points beyond the highest score at the end of the third segment.

Unrivaled comprises six teams: Laces, Lunar Owls, Mist, Phantom, Rose, and Vinyl, all competing at a shared venue, Unrivaled Wayfair Stadium in Miami, under a long-term partnership agreement.

Highlighting MVPs and Champions in the Rising League

Four teams—Mist, Phantom, Vinyl, and Team Rose—are currently vying for third place, each holding a 2-4 record. Team Phantom, with a limited six-player roster, faces challenges early in the season due to injuries, including Marina Mabrey’s calf strain and Natasha Cloud’s return from a knee injury.

Despite these hurdles, Phantom’s versatile, guard-focused lineup has found success, with Sabrina Ionescu leading the league in assists, averaging 6.3 per game.

Team Vinyl, despite a four-game losing streak, boasts star players from Sparks and Dream, notably Forward Dearica Hamby, who averages 21 points and 10 rebounds per game—ranking third in the league.

The perimeter versatility of Team Rose, featuring Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper, and Brittney Sykes, positions them as strong contenders defensively.

Leading the charge for Team Mist is co-founder and two-time champion Breanna Stewart, who is poised to bolster the team’s momentum following consecutive victories.

Jewell Loyd, fresh from a recent transfer and aiming to solidify her position following a challenging 2024 season, has also made significant strides in Unrivaled.

The Laces are not far behind with a competitive 4-2 record, supported by stellar defense and excellent three-point shooting, bolstered by three of the league’s top ten shooters: Stefanie Dolson, Kayla McBride, and Tiffany Hayes. McBride has notably averaged 27.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, striving to maintain their winning momentum.

Seizing the top position with an undefeated 6-0 record, the Lunar Owls, under the leadership of co-founder Napheesa Collier, are making waves. Last season’s WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, Collier, is currently leading the league in scoring, averaging 29.3 points per game.

Cameron Brink, a standout Stanford alumnus and the second overall pick in last year’s WNBA draft, is another name to watch. Following her promising rookie season and Olympic aspirations, she faced an ACL injury last June. Since then, fans are eager for her return, especially after signing with the Lunar Owls.

Where is the 2024 Rookie of the Year?

A notable name missing in action is Caitlin Clark. Speculation swirled around her potential participation, which she addressed in an interview with Time magazine, stating, “This year is just not the best for me to join the league.” Having reportedly declined a million-dollar offer, she left the door open for future involvement.

As fans gear up for March Madness and the start of the WNBA season, Unrivaled is stepping in to engage audiences.

To elevate excitement further, the league has unveiled plans for a one-on-one tournament commencing on February 10, featuring a lucrative prize pool of $350,000. Fans will have the opportunity to vote on player seedings, with 30 participants divided into four groups to showcase their skills.

The next game is scheduled for Friday, February 7, at 7:15 PM EST (12:15 AM GMT), showcasing the Lunar Owls versus Phantoms, followed an hour later by a matchup between Rose and Mist.

Share.
VICKIEHELMTV

Related Posts