The debut of Unrivaled, a new three-on-three basketball league co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, was highly anticipated. However, despite its exciting first games, the league’s ratings reveal a clear challenge in gaining traction compared to the established WNBA. The opening night featured two matchups – Lunar Owls vs. Mist and Vinyl vs. Lunar Owls – which garnered attention and were the highest-watched women’s basketball broadcasts on TNT and truTV, with 313,000 and 311,000 viewers, respectively. While these numbers marked a milestone for the league, they still fall short of the WNBA’s viewership.
In comparison, the WNBA regularly attracts a far larger audience. During the regular season, WNBA games on national television averaged 657,000 viewers, nearly double Unrivaled’s peak. Notably, games featuring Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever averaged an even more impressive 1.18 million viewers. Clark’s influence has been undeniable, with Fever games also breaking attendance records, both for average and total attendance. These figures showcase just how much of an impact Clark has had in boosting the visibility of women’s basketball.
While Unrivaled’s initial viewership may not compare to the WNBA’s, Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell, who is married to Collier, remains optimistic about the future. He pointed out that the league is still in its infancy and that the goal is steady improvement rather than immediate massive viewership. Bazzell emphasized that their focus is on creating a quality product and cultivating an audience over time. “We’re not running out there from Day 1 trying to get millions of viewers,” he stated, recognizing that it will take time for the league to build momentum and attract a larger audience.
Despite these early challenges, Unrivaled’s debut is a positive step forward for women’s basketball. However, the ratings disparity highlights the undeniable influence of Caitlin Clark, who has become a defining figure in the sport. Clark’s ability to attract fans, break records, and elevate the profile of women’s basketball is evident in the staggering numbers associated with her presence. In contrast, Angel Reese, another rising star in the league, has been vocal about her contributions to the growth of the sport, asserting that women’s basketball’s success is not solely due to Clark. Reese has expressed that she, too, is an integral part of the movement toward greater recognition for women’s basketball.
As Unrivaled continues to grow, its success will ultimately depend on whether it can build a fanbase and generate consistent interest, particularly as it competes with the powerful presence of athletes like Caitlin Clark in the WNBA. The league may be in its early stages, but its future prospects hinge on its ability to carve out its own identity and gain a dedicated following, just as the WNBA has with players like Clark leading the way.
