Unrivaled Basketball: Bringing High-Level Hoops to the WNBA Offseason
The WNBA season may be over, but basketball fans rejoice! Thanks to Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, a brand new 3-on-3 league called Unrivaled is tipping off in January 2025. Here's everything you need to know:
What is Unrivaled?
- A new 3-on-3 basketball league featuring six teams played on a smaller court.
- Founded by WNBA stars Stewart and Collier to provide a competitive off-season option for players.
- The inaugural season kicks off in Miami, Florida.
Who's Playing?
- 34 out of 36 players have been announced, including WNBA veterans, rising stars, and Finals MVPs.
- Big names include Stewart, Collier, Griner, Loyd, Ogunbowale, and rookies like Reese and Jackson.
- The full roster breakdown is available (see above).
Which Teams Were Drafted?
- Six teams were drafted: Vinyl, Mist, Laces, Rose, Phantom, and Lunar Owls.
- Each team has an average of six players, with two wildcard spots open on Phantom and Lunar Owls.
- Team rosters with players are listed above.
Who's Coaching?
- Unrivaled boasts an impressive coaching staff, including Teresa Weatherspoon, Phil Handy, and Nola Henry.
- The full coaching lineup is available (see above).
When Does the Season Start?
- Mark your calendars! The season kicks off on January 17th, 2025 in Miami.
- The eight-week season includes playoffs and a round-robin format.
- The top four teams advance to the playoffs.
What's the Pay Like?
- Unrivaled is setting records with the highest average salaries in women's sports history, starting at $100,000.
- All players will also receive ownership equity in the league.
- This is a major step for WNBA players, offering financial security and a chance to stay home during the offseason.
How Can I Watch?
- Tickets go on sale November 21st on Ticketmaster, with early access for newsletter subscribers.
- Catch the games on television! A multi-year partnership with TNT means you'll see games three nights a week.
- Twice-weekly games air on Mondays, Fridays on TNT, and Saturdays on truTV.
- All games will also be streamed on Max.
Don't Miss Opening Night!
- The season starts with a bang, featuring a rematch of the WNBA Finals.
- Watch Collier and the Lunar Owls face off against Stewart and the Mist BC at 7 pm ET.
- Then, see Angel Reese and the Rose BC take on Aliyah Boston and Vinyl BC at 8:15 pm ET.
Get ready for high-octane basketball and rising stars! Unrivaled is set to be a game-changer for the WNBA and women's sports.
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has decided not to join the new 3-on-3 leagueUnrivaled Basketball, set to debut in January 2025, despite receiving a lucrative $1 million offer.
According to reports from ESPN, Clark turned down the invitation to participate in the league co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier.
This news comes as a surprise, as Clark is one of the most prominent players in women's basketball, and her involvement in such an emerging league would have been a significant boost for the event.
Unrivaled Basketball: The future of women's basketball
Unrivaled Basketball aims to provide an exciting platform for female players, with a 3-on-3 format that has gained popularity in recent years, especially after its inclusion in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Clark remains loyal to the WNBA despite tempting offers
Despite the attractive financial offers, Clark's decision underscores her focus on her career and personal well-being, following an impressive rookie season with the Indiana Fever, where she averaged 19.2 points and 8.4 assists per game. This performance made her a top contender for the 2024 Rookie of the Year award.
Clark has also become a central figure in the conversation about the physicality of women's basketball, with many of her supporters defending her against the tough play she faced.
In addition to her successful WNBA season, Clark had little rest between her NCAA Tournament run with the University of Iowa and the start of the WNBA preseason, which likely made an offer like Unrivaled's difficult to fit into her packed schedule.
Although she rejected the offer from Unrivaled, Clark remains one of the most important figures in women's basketball, and her future is bright both on and off the court. Beyond her athletic career, she has begun exploring other activities, such as her participation in golf tournaments.
For now, Unrivaled will need to seek out other high-profile players to complete their teams before their launch in Miami in January 2025.
Clark's decision highlights that, despite the significant offers, her well-being and long-term focus on the WNBA remain her top priorities.
The teams for the upcoming Unrivaled League have been unveiled, and Indiana Fever fans were left in shock following the announcement.
Their shock is related to Rose BC, who will be represented by Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Cooper, Azura Stevens, Brittney Sykes, Angel Reese, and Caitlin Clark's teammate, Lexie Hull.
The news caught the attention of WNBA fans, who couldn't help but be drawn in by what this means for the Angel Reese-Caitlin Clark rivalry.
WNBA fans stunned by the announcement
"Lexie Hull and Angel Reese are on the same Unrivaled team... so that means Indiana Fever fans have to cheer for Angel... I'm crying," wrote one fan.
The sentiment was shared by many given the two WNBA stars have faced off several times since their NCAA days.
They've carried over their success to the WNBA, with Reese starring for the Chicago Sky and Clark taking home Rookie of the Year honors with the Indiana Fever.
"Who put this team together, I just wanna talk," wrote another fan, who inserted a GIF of Peter Griffin from 'Family Guy' leaning on the window with a glass of wine.
Another added: "They internationally (read intentionally) did it cause they know cc will come to support her and they can write things like cc came to support angel Reese or came to watch her they trying to continue storylines."
While some fans may be torn, don't count on Clark being bothered by the announcement. She has stated in the past there is no rivalry between her and Reese.
"I'm pretty sure the only people that view this as a rivalry are all of you," she said.