Unrivaled Reflections: What Unrivaled Has Done for the WNBA
Brianna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, and Alex Bazzell made a decision to revolutionize women’s basketball at the end of 2022. At the time, Stewart was preparing to go overseas. A feat Bazzel had seen his wife Napheesa Collier do multiple times. While at a New York steakhouse, Bazzell made a business proposition to Stewart to begin keeping WNBA stars in the U.S. during the offseason. The concept of Unrivaled was highly attractive; a three-versus-three women’s league that promised the highest salaries in women’s team sports in America.
They are building upon a WNBA league that had record viewership last season. In 2024, they had their most watched regular season in 24 years and Game Five of the WNBA Finals was the most viewed finals in twenty-five years for the WNBA. The league also set records for digital consumption and merchandise and had its highest total attendance in more than two decades. With all this, the WNBA salaries do not reflect this boom. However, the Unrivaled League offers players higher salaries, equity stakes, and top-tier amenities, all while keeping them stateside during the WNBA offseason.
Unrivaled’s innovative approach includes shorter games, a fast-paced style, and a focus on player well-being, such as childcare and state-of-the-art facilities. It complements the WNBA by providing additional opportunities for players to compete and earn, potentially influencing the WNBA's future in terms of salaries and player equity. “We’re taking the things we like here and we’re going to tell our ownership,” said Rhyne Howard, a star wing on the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream and Unrivaled’s Vinyl Basketball Club. Unrivaled was able to take a former TV production studio and turn it into a full-fledged performance center and arena within a matter of months. Plus, the renovated facility includes a sauna and cold tub, two amenities that aren’t a 24/7 given with all WNBA clubs.
Also, the league provided the players with childcare options. A luxury that is typically not afforded for any league consistently. Wayfair Arena has a nursing room, a nursery room, and a kid’s room, which has toys, books, and puzzles. The league also hired nannies so players could drop off their kids at their convenience, whether for games, practices, or other league obligations. Katie Lou Samuelson, a forward for the Phantom Mist, has been able to use these amenities to her advantage for her one-year-old daughter. “I just feel super comfortable knowing that I can go into any game, I can do any treatment I need to do after the games end and there’s going to be someone there watching her and taking care of her until it’s time to go,” Samuelson said. “I don’t feel rushed, and it’s been really nice.”
Unrivaled has seen a plethora of partnership opportunities arise for players who tend to be hidden gems. Jordin Canada, a guard on Unrivaled’s Vinyl, said Unrivaled’s deals “puts pressure” on the WNBA to put its players at the forefront of more arrangements. Plus, some deals might fit better with just the WNBA than with the WNBA and NBA combined, like Sephora for example. With these partnerships, we’ve also been able to see more of the player’s personalities. Shakira Austin, a center for the Lunar Owls has communicated her praises for Unrivaled social media efforts that have matched recent trends. “We’re used to being overseas in God knows what country and you’d be lucky to even get some good internet service,” Austin said. “So to be able to have 24/7 almost access to the WNBA players while we’re playing year-round now, it’s dope and I think it’s something that can continue to move forward.”
So far, Unrivaled is doing its job in complementing the WNBA. During the Unrivaled season, WNBA officials, including commissioner Cathy Engelbert and head of league operations Bethany Donaphin, visited the league in Medley, Florida. Stewart said she hoped they observed the benefits that their players receive. Nonetheless, the effects of Unrivaled are sure to be felt as everyone returns to the WNBA this summer. Unrivaled will close out its season on Monday, March 17th on TruTV, TNT, and Max.
