What is the Unrivaled Basketball League?
Unrivaled is a 3-on-3 women’s basketball league founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. The league’s season will be played during the WNBA offseason. The league boasts several high-profile investors, including former NBA stars Carmelo Anthony and Steve Nash, former U.S. soccer stars Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, and sports media executives John Skipper and David Levy. Micky Lawler, a former president of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), was appointed as the league’s commissioner.
How Many Players are in the Unrivaled Basketball League?
Unrivaled was originally set to feature 30 players in its inaugural season before announcing on October 31 that it was expanding the roster size to 36. Collier said on X that the league outperforming its financial projections allowed for the expansion.
How Many Teams are in the Unrivaled Basketball League?
There will be six teams of six players each in Unrivaled. The team names are the Laces Basketball Club, Lunar Owls Basketball Club, Mist Basketball Club, Phantom Basketball Club, Rose Basketball Club, and Vinyl Basketball Club. Each club will have a head coach, assistant coach, and team manager, Collier said in August on X.
Who is Playing in the Unrivaled Basketball League?
Unrivaled has announced 30 of the 36 players who will be suiting up in the debut season:
- Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty
- Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
- Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas Aces
- Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings
- Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm
- Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces
- Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream
- Kahleah Copper, Phoenix Mercury
- Jacki Young, Las Vegas Aces
- Angel Reese, Chicago Sky
- Dearica Hamby, Los Angeles Sparks
- Kayla McBride, Minnesota Lynx
- Marina Mabrey, Connecticut Sun
- Satou Sabally, Dallas Wings
- Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream
- Natasha Cloud, Phoenix Mercury
- Skylar Diggins-Smith, Seattle Storm
- Rickea Jackson, Los Angeles Sparks
- Dijonai Carrington, Connecticut Sun
- Courtney Vandersloot, New York Liberty
- Brittney Sykes, Washington Mystics
- Shakira Austin, Washington Mystics
- Tiffany Hayes, Las Vegas Aces
- Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury
- Azura Stevens, Los Angeles Sparks
- Courtney Williams, Minnesota Lynx
- Kate Martin, Las Vegas Aces
- Aaliyah Edwards, Washington Mystics
- Lexie Hull, Indiana Fever
- Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever
UConn star Paige Bueckers, a contender to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, will join starting in 2026 after signing an NIL deal with Unrivaled.
Is Caitlin Clark Playing in the Unrivaled Basketball League?
Caitlin Clark, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, is still a topic of discussion. Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports reported on October 23 that Unrivaled was preparing a "Lionel Messi-like" offer for Clark. Tom Friend of The Sports Business Journal reported on October 31 that Unrivaled’s offer to Clark includes a $1 million salary and "significant" equity in the league. Friend also reported that Unrivaled strategically signed two of Clark’s closest friends, Fever teammate Lexie Hull and former Iowa teammate Kate Martin, as the league tries to convince Clark to join.
Is There an Unrivaled Basketball League Draft?
There will not be a draft to set the six rosters. Instead, a selection committee will split up the players into teams by position and skill, Collier said in August on X.
How Much Money Do Players in the Unrivaled Basketball League Make?
Unrivaled says it will offer players the highest average salary in the history of women’s professional sports, with all salaries being at least six figures. The average salary is expected to be in the $250,000 range, according to The Sports Business Journal. Players will also receive equity in the league.
When Does the Unrivaled Basketball League Start?
The first Unrivaled games are slated for Friday, January 17.
How Long is the Unrivaled Basketball League Season?
The Unrivaled regular season and postseason will run eight weeks in total. The teams will play a round-robin schedule, with the top four squads advancing to the playoffs.
Where Will Unrivaled Basketball Games Be Played?
Unrivaled will play its first season at a soundstage in Miami, with the exact location not yet announced. The venue seats 850 people, according to The Sports Business Journal. The league plans to hold a tour-style season with games played across different U.S. cities in 2026, per The Sports Business Journal.
How Long Are Games in the Unrivaled Basketball League?
Unrivaled says games will be played "in a one-hour broadcast window." Games will be broken up into four quarters with a game clock and shot clock, but full details haven’t yet been announced.
Are Unrivaled Basketball Games Half-Court or Full-Court?
Unrivaled will feature a "compressed" full court that’s about two-thirds the size of a WNBA court.
Will Unrivaled Basketball Games Be Shown on TV?
Unrivaled inked an exclusive, multiyear media rights deal with Warner Bros. Discovery in October. The deal will see games air across TNT and truTV, and stream live on Max. TNT also invested an undisclosed amount of money into the league as part of the deal.
Can Fans Attend Unrivaled Basketball Games?
Unrivaled games will be played in front of fans, but the league hasn’t yet announced ticket details.
Conclusion
The Unrivaled Basketball League is set to debut in January 2024 with a star-studded lineup of players, including WNBA stars like Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. The league is expected to offer players the highest average salary in the history of women’s professional sports, with all salaries being at least six figures. With a mix of individual and team games, Unrivaled is poised to bring a new level of excitement to women’s basketball.
FAQs
Q: How many players are in the Unrivaled Basketball League?
A: 36 players will compete in the inaugural season, with 30 players announced so far.
Q: How many teams are in the Unrivaled Basketball League?
A: There will be six teams in the league, each with six players.
Q: Who is playing in the Unrivaled Basketball League?
A: The league features a list of top WNBA players, including Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, and Chelsea Gray, among others.
Q: Is there an Unrivaled Basketball League draft?
A: No, there will not be a draft to set the six rosters. A selection committee will split up the players into teams by position and skill.
Q: How much money do players in the Unrivaled Basketball League make?
A: Unrivaled will offer players the highest average salary in the history of women’s professional sports, with all salaries being at least six figures.
Q: When does the Unrivaled Basketball League start?
A: The first Unrivaled games are set to begin on January 17, 2024.
Q: How long is the Unrivaled Basketball League season?
A: The Unrivaled regular season and postseason will run eight weeks in total.
