Unrivaled is a women's professional three-on-three basketball league based in the United States.
History
The league was founded in 2023 by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, in part to allow WNBA players to play domestically and to bypass complications from the WNBA's prioritization rule for players who choose to play overseas in the WNBA offseason. Unrivaled's inaugural season is slotted to begin on January 17, 2025 in Miami, Florida[1] with plans for the 2026 season to have games played across the United States.[2]
The league announced Breanna Stewart as the first signed player on July 9, 2024.[3] In August, it was announced that Paige Bueckers had signed a name, image, and likeness deal with Unrivaled, with plans for Bueckers to make her Unrivaled debut in the 2026 season.[a][5]
Rules
Games will be played on a full court with two ends, and consist of four, seven-minute quarters; as opposed to on a half-court, with a single, ten-minute period in FIBA3x3 basketball competitions.[6] The size of the court is smaller in length than those used in the WNBA – measuring 70 ft (21 m) × 50 ft (15 m), instead of 94 ft (29 m) × 50 ft (15 m).[7]
Teams
On October 24, the inaugural six team names were announced.[8] Teams do not have geographic connections, although the branding was created with a consideration for potential future sale and relocation of the teams.[8] The rosters for each team are decided by a selection committee that sorts players based on their position and skill level.[1][9] Each team will have a head coach, an assistant coach, and a team manager.[10]
In July 2024, Ally Financial was announced as Unrivaled's first and founding brand partner.[12][13] Ally will be the league-wide jersey sponsor, assist in media spending and negotiations, "activat[e] hospitality and fan engagement opportunities, and [appear] in online/digital content and in-arena signage."[12]
Player salaries and revenue
Unrivaled will offer players in the league contract opportunities to receive the highest average salary in U.S. women’s professional sports and a minimum six-figure salary.[11][14] The winner of the 2025 1v1 mid-season tournament will earn a minimum of $250,000.[15][16]
Additionally to create an athlete-centric and player-owned league, Unrivaled will offer the 30 inaugural players equity in the league for at least the first year[6] with an "equity pool that will vest over a four-year period."[17]
For the 2025 season, players will also be provided local housing with access to gym and practice facilities paid for by the league.[18]
Unrivaled Presidents and Commissioners
Alex Bazzell, a renowned basketball skills coach and Collier's husband, is the first and current president of Unrivaled.[11] In June 2024, Micky Lawler, a former Women's Tennis Association president, was named the commissioner of the league.[19][20]
^At the time of signing, Bueckers had two more years of NCAA eligibility. She was expected to end her college career after the 2024–25 season and make her Unrivaled debut after the 2025 WNBA season.[4]
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