Unrivaled: An Inaugural Success Seeking to Consolidate
Two months after the start of the New York Liberty season, another professional women’s basketball competition celebrated its championship. The Rose Basketball Club was crowned inaugural champion of Unrivaled, a new 3×3 basketball league.
Brittney Sykes, after scoring the decisive free throw, led Rose to victory. The team celebrated with their traditional celebration, marking the end of the first season and the beginning of new challenges for the league.
“Number 1 in the inaugural season. Shoutout to Unrivaled! Number 1.”
Kahleah Copper
The inaugural season of Unrivaled, played in Miami, was considered a resounding success. Now, the league must capitalize on this momentum to continue growing.
Skylar Diggins, when referring to experience, commented on the importance of practice for growth and learning in the sport.
Founders Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart highlighted the financial, sporting, and fan participation success of the first season. The league is now looking to maintain momentum.
Among the key questions for Unrivaled are: How will the league grow? What changes will be implemented in the game? Will it be able to attract WNBA stars like Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson? And how will Unrivaled impact the WNBA, including its collective bargaining agreement?
Caption: The Rose, led by Chelsea Gray, were crowned champions, surpassing the Lunar Owls, who led the regular season.
Unrivaled generated approximately $30 million in revenue, double what was projected, thanks to television deals and sponsorships. Ticket and merchandising sales were also strong. The league, which raised $35 million in funding before the season, was close to balancing its finances and is expected to make a profit in its second year.
The league averaged 221,000 viewers on TNT and truTV during its first season, with the championship match between the Rose and Vinyl attracting 364,000 viewers.
Growth on social media, with an increase of approximately one million followers for the players, is another key area for Unrivaled’s growth. Collier and Stewart’s goal is for Unrivaled to be an attractive option for WNBA players during the off-season, offering an alternative to supplement their income.
Caption: Chelsea Gray, point guard for the Las Vegas Aces and MVP of the final game, celebrates with her teammates.
The league is considered a “middle ground” between playing abroad and rest during the off-season, providing an alternative for the players.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert acknowledged Unrivaled’s work, although she highlighted the differences between both leagues in terms of the number of teams and the length of the season.
Unrivaled seeks to impact the WNBA collective bargaining agreement negotiations, already offering benefits such as higher salaries and better conditions. The league is committed to maintaining an average salary of $200,000, the highest in women’s team sports.
Bazzell, president of Unrivaled, emphasized the league’s commitment to the players and its desire to continue supporting them financially.
Caption: Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart founded Unrivaled to offer an alternative to WNBA players during the offseason.
Paige Bueckers, after winning the NCAA title with UConn, signed a three-year contract with Unrivaled, earning more in a 10-week season with the 3×3 league than in her four-year rookie contract in the WNBA.
Unrivaled featured the participation of several WNBA stars, including seven No. 1 draft picks and 17 former Olympians. The league seeks to attract more renowned players like Wilson and Clark.
A WNBA general manager suggested that Unrivaled needs to have 18 to 20 of the best WNBA players to maintain interest. Collier stated that the league seeks to grow sustainably, prioritizing the players.
Caption: Napheesa Collier won the Unrivaled individual tournament.
The second season of Unrivaled will keep the current six teams (Lunar Owls, Rose, Vinyl, Mist, Laces and Phantom), adding between six and eight additional players. It is planned to play one or two matches outside of Miami and the stadium’s capacity is expected to be expanded.
Adding players instead of new teams ensures that each team has enough players available. A group of substitute players was implemented mid-season to combat absences due to injuries.
Kayla McBride, player of Laces, highlighted the competitiveness of the league despite injuries and player rotation.
A WNBA general manager expressed concern about the physical wear and tear on the players and potential injuries. The ability of Unrivaled to cover the salaries of injured players who cannot play in the WNBA is also questioned.
Caption: Brittney Sykes scored the winning shot to give Rose the title in March 2025.
The rules of the game will be reviewed, including the free throw rule. The organizers plan to analyze areas for improvement, although no immediate changes are expected. The players requested more space between the locker rooms and a larger training area.
Diggins and Gray expressed their desire to continue playing with the same team in 2026, highlighting the pride and unity of the group.
Unrivaled will seek to maintain its environment and parity as it expands, prioritizing the needs of the players, the foundation of its success.
“Growth and sustainability are our main priorities. We want to remain focused on the best players and build everything for them.”
Napheesa Collier
