Unrivaled news: Groundbreaking tournament a game-changer for women’s basketball
The inaugural season of the highly anticipated and groundbreaking 3-on-3 women’s basketball league Unrivaled got underway on Friday and is set to run until March 17.
From all-star players to big-name sponsorships, the tournament is sure to be one of the biggest sports events of the year.
By providing both domestic game time and unprecedented earnings during the off-season, the league also promises to be a game-changer for women’s basketball.
Sports News Blitz writer Shameeka Voyiya reports on the story.
Commercial success
Founded by WNBA All-Stars and Olympic gold medalists Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, Unrivaled features six teams comprising six players each.
The tournament was created to supplement WNBA players’ earnings as well as offer off-season game time that complies with WNBA domestic prioritisation rules.
In the months leading up to the event, a number of partnerships with high-profile brands were announced, including deals with Samsung, TNT Sports, Under Armour, and Sprite.
The latter will be the presenting sponsor for the league’s 1-on-1 mini-tournament in February in which Unrivaled athletes will go head-to-head for a $250 000 cash prize.
Individual investors that have taken an interest in Unrivaled include tennis superstar Coco Gauff, South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley, and UConn Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma, with third-party investment reportedly topping $35 million.
READ MORE: Tennis star Coco Gauff teams up with Unrivaled to revolutionise women’s basketball
Innovative rules
The six teams in the league – Laces, Mist, Rose, Lunar Owls, Phantom and Vinyl – will compete in the purpose-built 850-seat Wayfair Arena on a compressed full court (72 by 49 ft).
Notably, there will be three seven-minute quarters and a fourth quarter that is not timed.
Teams will play until a ‘winning score’ is achieved, with that score determined by adding 11 points to the leading score at three-quarter time.
This constitutes a radical departure from standard basketball rules and is something the league is excited to showcase.
“Every game, we will have a game-winning shot,” said Alex Bazzell, president of Unrivaled.
“That was important for us because, coming out of the third quarter, there's no mystery of what you need to do.”
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Team rosters
Unrivaled is set to feature 36 players drawn from across the WNBA.
Lunar Owls: Shakira Austin, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Allisha Gray, Courtney Williams, Cameron Brink (injured), Napheesa Collier
Phantom: Natasha Cloud, Brittney Griner, Sabrina Ionescu, Marina Mabrey, Satou Sabally, Katie Lou Samuelson
Vinyl: Aliyah Boston, Rae Burrell, Jordin Canada, Dearica Hamby, Rhyne Howard, Arike Ogunbowale
Mist: DiJonai Carrington, Aaliyah Edwards, Rickea Jackson, Jewell Loyd, Courtney Vandersloot, Breanna Stewart
Laces: Stefanie Dolson, Tiffany Hayes, Kate Martin, Kayla McBride, Alyssa Thomas, Jackie Young
Rose: Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Lexie Hull, Angel Reese, Azurá Stevens, Brittney Sykes
MORE FROM SHAMEEKA VOYIYA: Five women’s sport events to look forward to in 2025
