The new Unrivaled league is set to launch in January, and will surely change the landscape of women’s basketball upon its inception. Co-founded by WNBA legends Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, Unrivaled will be a 3-on-3 women’s professional basketball league. Think of what the ‘BIG3’ league is to the NBA.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!However, this new Unrivaled league will revolutionize the sport far more than the BIG3. This league will offer the highest average salary in women’s team sports history, and although the minimum and average salaries have yet to release, it’s noted that the pay will eclipse that of the WNBA and NWSL.
Unrivaled – a professional women’s 3-on-3, six-team league co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier – is setting the record for paying the highest average salary in pro female team sports history. Notable signings to be announced in near future.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 30, 2024
“For years, women have relied heavily on off-court sponsorships for a majority of their income,” Stewart said. “With Unrivaled, we’re revolutionizing the game by prioritizing investments in our stars and ensuring their on-court performance is reflected in their pay.”
30 women will represent the league in its inaugural season, and although it’s unclear which players will sign on, it’s stated that “superstars” have committed to the league. These 30 players will receive equity ownership in the league, according to Shams Charania.
Phoenix Mercury guard Sug Sutton and forward Morgan Bertsch spoke on the benefits of the Unrivaled league:
"I think it's been a long time coming."
Phoenix Mercury forward Morgan Bertsch spoke on the alternative of the Unrivaled league, and how it could impact the landscape of women's basketball.
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“I think it’s been a long time coming,” said Bertsch. “This league and these players deserve to be invested in. A lot of us have had to go overseas to get that level of money, and so to be able to get that and be able to stay home, I think that’s a great opportunity. I’m excited to see what it looks like, and the opportunities that it brings for everyone in this league. Hopefully it can grow and involve everyone, and I think it’s just a great opportunity to really be investing in women’s sports and women’s basketball specifically, especially with the increased eyes and increased investors…I think it’s perfect timing.”
“It’s super exciting,” said Sutton. “We don’t have that many leagues, instead of going overseas. We have an AAU league that players can stay home and play in, but it’s really good that we have another league for players to stay home and not go overseas, because sometimes that can be tiring on our bodies. It’s super exciting to see that we have that coming, and players are making that move for us, so it’s super exciting to see that.”
With only 30 players receiving spots in the Unrivaled’s inaugural season, Bertsch and Sutton likely won’t received bids into the league right away. But the addition of the Unrivaled league not only provides an easier and richer option, but can also help influence the creation of other offseason leagues that are more convenient to players and their outside lives.
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Justin LaCertosa covers Phoenix Sports News for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @LaCertosaSports
