Former pro basketball player Alex Bazzell and three-time WNBA all-star Napheesa Collier have announced the creation of a new professional women’s basketball league called Unrivaled. The league is set to debut in January 2025 and aims to feature 30 elite players competing in a three-on-three format in Miami.
Investors in the league include U.S. soccer stars Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan, NBA MVP Steve Nash, NBA all-star Carmelo Anthony, and others. The league’s business model offers players equity and the highest average salary in women’s professional sports league history.
Collier and Stewart hope to change the landscape of women’s basketball by providing players with the opportunity to make money playing the sport they love. The league plans to showcase some of the best players in the world in a fast-paced and engaging format that is easy to consume.
With the recent success of the WNBA and NCAA women’s basketball tournaments, the timing seems ideal for the launch of Unrivaled. The league founders believe that the interest in women’s basketball is at an all-time high and that the new league will provide fans with high-quality competition during the WNBA offseason.
While some details are still being finalized, the founders are focused on securing media deals and partnerships to ensure the league’s accessibility and visibility. Overall, Unrivaled aims to capitalize on the growing popularity of women’s basketball and provide players with a platform to showcase their skills and grow the sport.