Breanna Stewart And Napheesa Collier have decided to join forces to create “Unrivaled”, a women's 3×3 league whose first season will begin in January 2025, in Miami.
As its founders announced months ago, the idea is to create a “second season” during the year for WNBA players, as an alternative to the European championships and allow them to stay full time in the United States. Grace “at the highest average salary in the history of women's professional sports leagues”.
A high average salary because there will only be 30 players, spread across six teams, in this new league.
And because many prestigious investors have also decided to support the project, such as footballers Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan, Steve Nash, Carmelo Anthony, Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma, actor Ashton Kutcher or the former presidents of ESPN and Turner, John Skipper and David Levy.
Shorter, more intense matches
“Women's basketball is at a turning point right now… but unfortunately, the majority of the money we make is made off the court”explains Napheesa Collier at the Washington Post. “So we want to change that…and make money playing basketball.” »
“Unrivaled” intends in particular to take advantage of the arrival in the professional world of the phenomenon Caitlin Clark, who attracts the media spotlight and fans in front of their television, even if we do not know if the latter will participate. In any case, the league wishes to offer a format adapted to the new generation of fans, with shorter but more intense matches, played on a smaller field (and therefore on two baskets).
“Many new leagues have been launched and have not been successful”explains David Levy, the former president of Turner. “There are many reasons for this, whether it's the operational aspect or the talent on the ground. Here, we must remember that these are not names that no one knows. These are the best basketball players in the world who will compete in a three-on-three competition. »
To ensure fan engagement, the stars would sign contracts over several seasons while it will still be necessary to see how fans will be able to follow the matches, and which sponsors will get involved.
Turning WHAT IFS into RIGHT NOW. #Unrivaled pic.twitter.com/KemBTXIyPH
— Unrivaled (@Unrivaledwbb) May 30, 2024
