Unrivaled Launches: A New Era for Women’s Pro Basketball

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Unrivaled Launches: A New Era for Women’s Pro Basketball \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Unrivaled, a groundbreaking 3-on-3 women’s professional basketball league, debuts Friday. Featuring 36 WNBA stars, the league offers six-figure salaries, equity stakes, and innovative gameplay rules. Games will be held in Miami and air on TNT or TruTV through March 17.

Unrivaled Women’s Basketball League: Quick Looks

Season Overview: Runs from January to March 17, with games on Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays.
Broadcast Details: Games will air on TNT and TruTV, with Candace Parker hosting a studio show.
Star-Studded Roster: Features WNBA stars like Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Sabrina Ionescu, and Angel Reese.
High Salaries: Players earn six-figure salaries and equity in the league, with over $8 million in the salary pool.
Innovative Rules: Includes shortened quarters, condensed courts, and a game-ending “winning score” system.
Miami Venue: Games are played in a new 850-seat arena in Miami.

Deep Look

A transformative moment for women’s professional basketball begins with the launch of Unrivaled, a groundbreaking 3-on-3 league that debuts this Friday. Founded by WNBA All-Stars and Olympic gold medalists Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, the league aims to elevate women’s basketball through innovative gameplay, top-tier compensation, and a fresh approach to the sport. With a condensed season running through March 17, Unrivaled promises a fast-paced, star-studded experience for fans and players alike.

How Unrivaled is Changing the Game

The league brings together 36 WNBA stars spread across six teams: the Laces, Mist, Rose, Lunar Owls, Phantom, and Vinyl. Each team features six players, making for intense competition on a smaller, faster-paced court. Fans can look forward to watching high-profile players like Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally, Alyssa Thomas, Angel Reese, and Arike Ogunbowale alongside founders Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier.

Unrivaled’s unique structure emphasizes accessibility and excitement. Games are shorter, with a focus on delivering consistent action and climactic finishes. The league hopes to attract a broad audience by showcasing the athleticism and skill of its players in a format unlike anything else in professional basketball.

Broadcast Details

Unrivaled games will air on TNT and TruTV, offering prime-time exposure for women’s basketball. Two games will be broadcast each night, primarily on Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays. Basketball legend and analyst Candace Parker will host a dedicated studio show during the broadcasts, adding expert insights and further elevating the viewing experience.

The league’s condensed schedule culminates in a championship game on March 17, ensuring a high-stakes finale to a season designed to captivate fans.

Financial Game-Changer for Players

Unrivaled sets a new benchmark for women’s sports compensation, with nearly all players earning six-figure salaries. The league boasts a salary pool of over $8 million, making it the highest-paying women’s sports league in history.

Additional Financial Perks Include:

Equity Stakes: Players receive ownership shares in the league, providing long-term financial benefits.
High-Stakes Tournament: A 1-on-1 tournament in February offers a $250,000 prize to the winner, the largest individual payout in league history.
Team Bonuses: Each player on the championship-winning team will receive a $10,000 bonus.

These financial incentives not only attract elite talent but also set a new standard for how women athletes are compensated, reflecting the growing recognition of their value in the sports world.

Miami: The Hub of Unrivaled Action

All Unrivaled games will take place in Miami, a city known for its vibrant sports culture. The league’s matches will be hosted in a newly constructed 850-seat arena, designed to create an intimate and energetic fan experience.

The court itself is tailored for the 3-on-3 format, measuring 72 feet long and 49.2 feet wide, significantly smaller than the WNBA’s standard court dimensions. This setup encourages faster gameplay and places a premium on strategy, teamwork, and precision.

Innovative Gameplay Rules

Unrivaled’s rules are designed to deliver thrilling finishes and streamlined action:

Quarter Structure: Games consist of three seven-minute quarters and an untimed fourth quarter.
Winning Score Rule: Teams must reach a target score to win, calculated by adding 11 points to the leading team’s total after three quarters. For instance, if the score is 60-55 after three quarters, the first team to 71 wins the game.
Simplified Free Throws: Players fouled while shooting take a single free throw, with its value matching the attempted shot. For example, a free throw for a three-point foul is worth three points.
Shortened Shot Clock: The shot clock is reduced to 18 seconds from the WNBA’s 24 seconds, creating a faster-paced game.
Clock Management: In the final 30 seconds of each quarter, the clock stops on made baskets, enhancing late-game drama.

According to Unrivaled President Alex Bazzell, ensuring every game ends with a game-winning shot was a priority. “Every game, we will have a game-winning shot,” he said. “There’s no mystery about what needs to happen coming out of the third quarter.”

Player Amenities: A First-Class Experience

Unrivaled is setting new standards not only in pay but also in how players are treated. Athletes enjoy top-tier amenities that include:

Luxury Housing: Players are provided with two-bedroom apartments at no cost.
Transportation: Rental cars are included as part of their contracts.
On-Site Amenities: The Miami facility features a state-of-the-art weight room, glamour rooms, content creation studios, and a personalized chef.

Rae Burrell of the Los Angeles Sparks praised the setup, saying, “They’ve been taking great care of us … the facility has been great, having meals and everything for us. Always having snacks, and the fridges are always stocked.”

Why Unrivaled Matters

Unrivaled is more than just a basketball league—it’s a statement about the potential of women’s sports. By offering competitive pay, equity, and visibility, the league aims to redefine the landscape of professional women’s basketball. Its innovative approach to gameplay and focus on player well-being underscore a commitment to creating a sustainable, exciting product that benefits both players and fans.

As Unrivaled tips off its inaugural season, it is poised to become a trailblazer for women’s sports, offering a model that prioritizes both competitive excellence and player empowerment. With elite athletes, groundbreaking rules, and unmatched support for its players, the league is set to captivate audiences and pave the way for the future of women’s basketball.