Unrivaled: A New Era of Women’s Basketball Dawns with $35 Million Funding

The women’s basketball landscape is undergoing a seismic shift. Unrivaled, a groundbreaking new 3×3 league co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, proudly announced it has secured a staggering $35 million in funding this year alone – $28 million in a recent Series A round, on top of a previous $7 million seed round. This monumental investment signifies not only a major financial commitment to women’s professional sports but also a bold vision for a player-owned league that prioritizes equity, high salaries, and unprecedented media exposure. With a roster boasting 36 top players and an inaugural season set for January 17th, Unrivaled is poised to redefine the future of women’s basketball.

Key Takeaways: Unrivaled’s Game-Changing Approach

• Massive Funding: Unrivaled has secured a total of $35 million in funding in 2024, demonstrating significant investor confidence.
• Player Ownership: The league is player-owned, giving athletes equity and a vested interest in the league’s success, a departure from traditional models.
• Top Salaries: Unrivaled offers the highest average salaries across any women’s professional sports league.
• Star-Studded Lineup: The league has signed 36 top players, creating an incredibly competitive and exciting league.
• Major Partnerships: Unrivaled boasts partnerships with major brands such as Under Armour (official uniform partner) and Warner Bros. Discovery (media rights deal for TNT, truTV, and Max).
• High-Profile Investors: The league’s investor list includes notable figures such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Michael Phelps, and Ashton Kutcher, further highlighting its potential.

Unrivaled’s Financial Powerhouse: A $35 Million Investment

The sheer scale of Unrivaled’s funding is unprecedented in women’s professional basketball. The recent $28 million Series A round, led by the Berman family and featuring a diverse group of high-profile investors, builds upon the impressive $7 million seed round secured earlier in the year. This demonstrates significant confidence in the league’s potential and its ambitious vision for the future of women’s sports. “Our players haven’t even taken the court yet and the foundation we are building… unites unparalleled expertise, strategic insight, and an incredible product,” stated Unrivaled President Alex Bazzell. This statement perfectly encapsulates the optimism surrounding the league.

A Roster of Star Investors

The investor lineup further underscores Unrivaled’s potential for success. Beyond the Berman family, the Series A round includes prominent figures such as NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo, Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps, private investor Marc Lasry, University of South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley, and USC guard JuJu Watkins. Previous investors even include soccer star Alex Morgan and actor and investor Ashton Kutcher.

Player Empowerment at the Core

A key differentiator for Unrivaled is its player-ownership model. Unlike traditional leagues where athletes often have limited control over their careers and the league’s overall direction, Unrivaled empowers its players by giving them equity and a vested interest in its success. Co-founders Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, themselves WNBA superstars, have built a league that prioritizes the voices and financial stability of its athletes. This player-centric approach sets a new standard that could transform the dynamics of professional women’s sports.

Competitive Salaries: A Fair Deal for Elite Athletes

The league’s commitment to fair compensation is evident in its unique salary structure. Unrivaled boasts the highest average salaries across all women’s professional sports leagues, a stark contrast to the base salaries that many WNBA superstars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese received at only just over $70,000. While the WNBA has exhibited significant growth in recent years, Unrivaled demonstrates a willingness to pay its players substantially more, ensuring financial security and recognizing their immense talent and contributions to the sport. The disparity between the WNBA salaries and Unrivaled’s underlines the potential for even greater advancements in how women athletes are compensated.

Strategic Partnerships: Amplifying Reach and Visibility

Unrivaled’s success isn’t just about player compensation; it’s woven into a larger strategy involving key partnerships. They’ve secured a significant deal with **Under Armour**, making the sportswear giant the league’s official uniform partner. They’ve also signed an exclusive, multiyear media rights agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery, guaranteeing that Unrivaled games will be broadcast on TNT and truTV, with streaming availability on Max. This strategic media deal significantly increases the league’s visibility and reach, attracting a wider audience and giving the players significant exposure.

The Future of Women’s Basketball: A League on the Rise

With its substantial funding, player-centric approach, competitive salaries, and strategic partnerships, Unrivaled is strategically positioned to disrupt the women’s basketball landscape. The league’s inaugural season, set to begin January 17th, promises to be a watershed moment, not only for the athletes participating but for the entire world of women’s sports. The success of Unrivaled could potentially inspire further investment and structural changes in other women’s professional leagues, ushering in a new era of equity, opportunity, and financial empowerment for female athletes. **”Together, we’re setting the stage for Unrivaled for years to come,”** declares Bazzell, a statement that surely resonates with both the investors and players alike. The league’s impact is not just felt in the court; its ripple effect promises long-term impacts across women’s sports.