Have you pondered whether women’s basketball would retain its allure without Caitlin Clark’s dynamic presence? This question looms large as the inaugural season of Unrivaled, a women’s three-on-three basketball league, launches in Miami. With six teams and 36 elite players, the league promises a star-studded spectacle, albeit without Clark, who reportedly declined a $1 million offer to prioritize her offseason rest. While her absence is palpable, the league’s lineup boasts enough talent to captivate fans.
The league debuts with a doubleheader featuring marquee matchups: Breanna Stewart’s Mist Basketball Club takes on Napheesa Collier’s Lunar Owls, and Angel Reese and Chelsea Gray’s Rose Basketball Club battles the Vinyl Basketball Club, led by Arike Ogunbowale and Jordin Canada. Co-founded by Stewart and Collier, Unrivaled aims to harness the rising popularity of three-on-three basketball, offering WNBA players an opportunity to stay stateside during the offseason and earn supplemental income. Players also hold equity in the league, reflecting its player-centric ethos.
Unrivaled’s backers include influential names such as Geno Auriemma, Carmelo Anthony, Gary Vaynerchuk, Ashton Kutcher, and Coco Gauff, underscoring its robust foundation. TNT Sports has partnered with the league, further solidifying its commercial prospects. Games are slated to run three times a week at Miami’s MediaPro Center. With a reported $35 million in funding and an average salary of $222,000, the league addresses a long-standing issue for female athletes by offering competitive pay without necessitating overseas play.
Despite Clark’s decision to sit out, Angel Reese emerges as a formidable figure in Unrivaled. After a stellar rookie season with the Chicago Sky, Reese is eager to learn from seasoned players while continuing to expand her burgeoning brand. Her work ethic and growth have garnered respect, with veterans like Ms. Cooper praising her dedication and receptivity to coaching. Reese’s contributions to the league, combined with her record-breaking rookie performances, exemplify her potential to be a cornerstone of this new endeavor.
For players like Lexie Hull, Unrivaled signifies a transformative moment in women’s basketball. Hull, who joins Reese on the Rose Basketball Club, appreciates the opportunity to stay close to home while honing her skills. Her involvement underscores the league’s broader mission: fostering growth in the sport and redefining the professional landscape for women’s basketball. As the eight-week season progresses, Unrivaled aspires to solidify its status as a premier destination for top-tier talent, ensuring its growth into a formidable force in sports.
