Landing Caitlin Clark will be a league-changing win for Unrivaled.
But the start up women’s basketball league is already shaking up the sport.
“This is such an amazing time in women’s sports and we’re so thankful to all the positive people who have come out and supported us,” co-founder Napheesa Collier said.
Angel Reese has already committed to the 3-on-3 league, which will feature 36 players and six teams.
The New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart and Collier, who plays for the WNBA‘s Minnesota Lynx, joined forces to found Unrivaled.
The league will provide women’s basketball players an alternative to earning money overseas during the WNBA offseason.
“I just hope you know the WNBA don’t pay my bills,” Reese, who earned an annual rookie salary of $73,439 for 2024, said during a live-stream.
“I don’t even think that pays one of my bills. Literally, I’m trying to think of my rent for where I stay at [in Chicago]. I’m gonna do the math real quick.”
Featuring an eight-week season and teams including Rose, Vinyl and Laces, the league will be played in Miami during its 2025 inaugural season.
Jewell Loyd and Arike Ogunbowale are also set to play in Unrivaled.
Clark, who plays for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA, could receive an offer of more than $1 million per season to join Unrivaled.
“We’ll see,” Clark told IndyStar. “I don’t know. Just taking it as it goes, and see if I want to play eventually.”
“We’re always going to have a roster spot for Caitlin Clark,” Unrivaled President Alex Bazzell told Sportico.
“We’re not applying a full court press the way people think. We are letting her decompress from basketball. She knows that we have a spot for her when she’s ready.”
Angel Reese has already committed to the new league[/caption]
Reese has been a constant presence on social media since her WNBA injury[/caption]
When does Unrivaled basketball start
All 36 players are expected to be announced by late November.
The league will tip off on January 17.
Games will be played on Monday, Friday and Saturday nights, and TNT Sports has acquired the broadcast rights.
“There’s a selection committee that splits the teams by position & skill,” Collier tweeted.
“Ours is gonna feel like normal basketball just with more spacing. 4 quarters, 2 subs on each team, and coaches.”
Unrivaled bills itself as a “brand new style of 3v3 basketball.”
“The games will be played on a compressed full-court (70X50 feet),” the league’s web site said.
How much will Unrivaled players be paid?
“The league is also setting a record with the highest average salaries in women’s sports history,” Collier added.
All 30 initial players will receive equity ownership.”
Extra money is clearly an incentive for Unrivaled. Reese, a former LSU star, said her rent is $8,000 per month.
“I’m living beyond my means!” she said. “I wouldn’t even be able to get a sandwich if I wanted to.
“I wouldn’t be able to eat. I wouldn’t be able to live.”
Who is playing in ‘Unrivaled’ (confirmed)
Shakira Austin, Aliyah Boston, DiJonai Carrington
Natasha Cloud, Napheesa Collier, Kahleah Copper
Skylar Diggins-Smith, Aaliyah Edwards, Dearica Hamby
Tiffany Hayes, Rhyne Howard, Lexie Hull
Allisha Gray, Chelsea Gray, Brittney Griner
Rickea Jackson, Jewell Loyd, Marina Mabrey
Kate Martin, Kayla McBride, Arike Ogunbowale
Angel Reese, Satou Sabally, Azura Stevens
Brittney Sykes, Kelsey Plum, Breanna Stewart
Courtney Vandersloot, Courtney Williams, Jackie Young
