Angel Reese is showcasing her skills on Unrivaled with the Rose. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
When Does Unrivaled Begin?
The highly anticipated season kicks off this Friday and will span nine weeks, including the playoffs. The regular season follows a round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to a two-round playoff. Fans can catch two games each on Fridays, saturdays, and Mondays, all broadcast live on the TNT networks.
Every game takes place in a state-of-the-art, 20,000-square-foot venue in Miami, designed exclusively for Unrivaled. The arena features an intimate 850-seat setup, ensuring an electric atmosphere for every match.
“we intentionally designed the space to feel exclusive,” Collier explained in a November interview with Yahoo Sports. “While we knew it would be compact, we wanted to create a unique surroundings that fosters connection and excitement. The venue will be packed every night, offering fans an unforgettable experience.”
The facility boasts top-tier amenities, including a fully equipped weight room, medical and recovery areas, a sauna, and even a glam room designed by Sephora.Collier emphasized that Unrivaled is committed to delivering premium content to fans while helping players enhance thier skills and maximize sponsorship opportunities.
the Midseason Classic: A High-Stakes 1v1 Tournament
Unrivaled will host a thrilling 1-on-1 tournament during the midseason break, aiming to crown the world’s best individual athlete. Scheduled from February 10 to 14, the event offers a grand prize of $250,000 for the winner, along with an additional $10,000 for their 3×3 teammates.
Why Unrivaled Stands Out
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Financial Rewards: Unrivaled has set a new standard by offering six-figure salaries, enabling players to stay close to home during the WNBA offseason instead of playing abroad. With a total salary pool of $8 million, athletes earn an average of $222,000—nearly double the WNBA’s average salary of $125,000.Players in the inaugural season also receive equity in the league, further enhancing their financial stability.
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Player Experience: The WNBA season lasts just five months, leaving players with seven months to fill. Unrivaled provides a platform for athletes to stay competitive, refine their skills, and remain connected to their communities without the need to travel overseas. Additionally, it opens doors for increased marketing and sponsorship opportunities.
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Skill Development: Alex Bazzell,Collier’s partner and Unrivaled’s president,brings a wealth of experience as a basketball coach who has trained WNBA and NBA stars. The league employs seasoned coaches dedicated to player growth, ensuring athletes can elevate their game while benefiting from integrated training, competitive play, and financial incentives.
Who’s Competing in Unrivaled?
Unrivaled has assembled an impressive roster,featuring nine of the 12 players from Team USA’s gold-medal-winning squad at the Paris Olympics. Additionally, five of the eight Olympic medalists from the US 3×3 team are participating. Two other Unrivaled players qualified for the olympic teams but were unable to compete,while another represents Azerbaijan on the international stage.
The WNBA boasts an impressive roster of 12 champions who have collectively secured 19 titles. This year, the 36-player lineup features 13 of the league’s top 20 scorers, 11 of the top 15 in assists, and 10 of the top 20 rebounders, showcasing a wealth of talent across the board.
Teams were meticulously assembled by six coaches, each selecting one player from specific categories to ensure balanced squads.Interestingly, the coaches were unaware of which team they would ultimately lead, adding an element of surprise to the process.
A Closer Look at Each Team
Vinyl
Roster: Arike Ogunbowale, Rhyne Howard, Aliyah Boston, Jordin Canada, Rae Burrell, Dearica Hamby
Head Coach: Teresa Weatherspoon
Key Insights: Howard and Hamby, the only WNBA champions on this team, previously earned a 3×3 bronze medal in Paris. Vinyl stands out as one of only two teams with four of the WNBA’s top 30 scorers this season, yet it’s the sole squad without a 5×5 Olympian.
Rosa
Roster: Chelsea gray, Kahleah Copper, Angel Reese, Brittney Sykes, Lexie Hull, Azurá Stevens
Head coach: Nola Henry
Key Insights: Gray, a masterful playmaker, is one of only two players to have won the Unrivaled Mistletoe Championship three times. Copper and Stevens share a championship history, having clinched a title together with Chicago in 2021.
Fog
Roster: jewell Loyd, DiJonai Carrington, breanna Stewart, Courtney Vandersloot, Rickea Jackson, Aaliyah Edwards
Head Coach: Practical Phil
Key Insights: fog is the most decorated team, with Loyd (two titles), Vandersloot (two titles), and stewart (three titles) leading the charge. Stewart and loyd previously won two championships together in Seattle, while stewart and Vandersloot secured another in New York.
Moon Owls
Roster: Skylar Diggins-Smith, Allisha Gray, Napheesa Collier, Courtney Williams, Shakira Austin, Cameron Brink
Head Coach: DJ Sackman
Key Insights: Gray, a 3×3 gold medalist, and Brink, who qualified for Paris, bring extensive 3×3 experience to the team. Though, Brink will sit out this season of Unrivaled as she recovers from a torn ACL sustained in June.
Phantoms
Roster: Satou Sabally,Flota mabrey,Brittney Griner,Natasha Cloud,Katie Lou Samuelson,Sabrina ionescu
Head Coach: Adam Harrington
key Insights: Griner and ionescu,both Olympic champions,each hold one WNBA title,while Cloud adds another to the mix. Phantoms are the team to watch for their dominance in both scoring and assists this season.
Laces
Roster: Jackie Young, Tiffany Hayes, Kayla McBride, Alyssa Thomas, Kate Martin, stefanie Dolson
head Coach: Andres Wade
Key Insights: Young (two titles) and Dolson (one title) are not only WNBA champions but also 3×3 gold medalists. thomas and Young recently won 5×5 gold,while Hayes led Azerbaijan’s 3×3 team to a victory over Team USA in Paris. Fans have already dubbed this team “L’Aces” due to the strong connection between young, Hayes, Martin, and McBride, who all previously played for the same franchise.
Who’s the Team to Beat?
Predicting a favorite is challenging, as the 3×3 format differs considerably from traditional international rules, and the mistletoe format is entirely new. each team brings unique strengths, making this season one of the most unpredictable yet.
“It’s going to be fascinating to watch how the games unfold and what the outcomes will be,” remarked Katie Lou Samuelson. “None of us can predict exactly what will happen, but it’s going to be an exciting experience. From what we’ve seen in practice, it’s a challenging yet enjoyable style of play to adapt to.”
players who have prior experience in 3×3 basketball hold a notable edge, especially on a court with more open space and unique angles. This advantage could give teams like Laces and Vinyl a head start. Laces, for instance, boasts a roster that includes a gold medalist from 3×3 competitions, while Vinyl features players who secured bronze. Additionally, Laces has a standout playmaker in Thomas, who ranked second in the WNBA for assists in consecutive seasons, and Kayla mcbride, a sharpshooter with a 40% success rate from beyond the arc.
The fast-paced, dynamic nature of 3×3 basketball tends to highlight players’ strengths and weaknesses, frequently enough favoring teams with well-rounded athletes. Such as, five out of the six players on the Phantom roster ranked within the top 30 in scoring, showcasing their versatility across all levels of play. Even Brittney Griner, a dominant 6’9” center, acknowledged the need to adapt her game, stating she’ll have to “reinvent herself slightly” to thrive in this format. Despite her traditional role, Griner has proven she can knock down three-pointers when given the chance.
But will championship experience ultimately determine success? The Mist stands out in this regard, with a legacy that rivals a textbook example of excellence in 5×5 basketball. Their track record could give them the upper hand when the pressure mounts.
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R star-studded lineup and championship pedigree. Griner,a dominant force in the paint,and Ionescu,known for her sharpshooting and playmaking,make this team a formidable contender. Cloud’s defensive prowess and leadership add another layer of strength to the Phantoms.
Vortex
Roster: A’ja wilson, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Dearica Hamby, Riquna Williams, Dearica Hamby
Head Coach: Becky Hammon
Key Insights: Vortex boasts a powerhouse lineup with Wilson, Plum, and Young, who have all been instrumental in leading the Las Vegas Aces to multiple championships. Wilson, a two-time MVP, anchors the team with her versatility and dominance on both ends of the floor. Plum’s scoring ability and Young’s all-around game make this team a top contender for the Unrivaled title.
Unrivaled’s Impact on Women’s Basketball
Unrivaled is more than just a league; it’s a movement aimed at elevating women’s basketball to new heights. By offering competitive salaries, state-of-the-art facilities, and a platform for players to showcase their talents, Unrivaled is setting a new standard for the sport. The league’s commitment to player progress, financial stability, and fan engagement is poised to make a lasting impact on the basketball landscape.
As the season kicks off, fans can look forward to thrilling matchups, incredible performances, and the rise of new stars. Unrivaled is not just a league—it’s a celebration of the game and the athletes who make it great.
How to Watch Unrivaled
Unrivaled games will be broadcast live on TNT networks, with two games airing each on Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays. Fans can also follow the action through live streams and highlights available on the league’s official website and social media channels.
Don’t miss out on the excitement as Unrivaled redefines women’s basketball and brings the game closer to fans than ever before. Tune in this Friday to witness the start of something truly special.
