A Look Into the New Professional Women’s Basketball League Unrivaled
Unrivaled, a new fresh and exciting version of professional women’s basketball, was introduced to the sports world on January 17 at the Wayfair Arena in Miami, Florida.
What is Unrivaled?
Unrivaled, the innovative three-on-three women’s basketball league, is the brainchild of WNBA All-Stars and Olympic Gold Medalists Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, who once shared the court as University of Connecticut teammates. Featuring six competitive teams of elite athletes, the league promises intense matchups and an exciting chase for the championship-and a substantial cash prize.
The Unrivaled season will take place from January 17 to March 17, with games played primarily on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. Each night will have two games, and WNBA star and basketball analyst Candace Parker will anchor a studio show during the games’ official broadcast.
Unrivaled features 36 of the top professional women’s basketball stars. Here are what the full rosters look like:
Lunar Owls: Shakira Austin, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Allisha Gray, Courtney Williams, Cameron Brink (IR), 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, 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
I love the concept of @Unrivaledwbb…it’s great see our pros hoopin on tv during the winter months…— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) January 18, 2025
How Do the Players Benefit From Competing in Unrivaled?
Unrivaled offers women’s basketball stars a viable way to supplement their WNBA salary during the offseason and can give the players another option instead of going overseas, which many players result from needing to supplement the salary. Breaking barriers in women’s sports, Unrivaled is setting a new standard for player compensation. Each of the 36 athletes not only earns a share of the league’s ownership but also takes home a record-breaking salary-most exceeding $100,000. With over $8 million in the salary pool, this league is redefining what it means to value women’s basketball stars. Unrivaled’s opening night on January 17 was nothing short of electrifying. Collier’s Lunar Owls triumphed over Stewart’s Mist in a hard-fought matchup sealed by Skylar Diggins-Smith clutch game-winning shot. Collier stole the spotlight, dominating with 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Stewart contributed six points and 14 rebounds in a game that set the tone for an exciting season ahead.
SKYLAR DIGGINS-SMITH GAME WINNER!!! BANGGGGGGGG pic.twitter.com/xqSagUDrpp— LANI (@___lovelani) January 18, 2025
The inaugural weekend was full of thrilling games. Unrivaled season picks back up on January 24, with the Phantom taking on the Mist and the Laces taking on the Vinyl.
