Women’s basketball is entering a new era — and it’s being led by the players themselves. Unrivaled, a new women’s basketball league. Designed to disrupt the traditional model of professional sports, Unrivaled aims to give women athletes the spotlight, pay, and platform they’ve long deserved.
The league comes at a time when interest in women’s basketball is surging, from record-breaking college tournaments to increasing WNBA viewership. Yet, despite this growth, many of the game’s brightest stars are still forced to play overseas in the offseason to make ends meet. That’s where Unrivaled steps in — with a fresh structure, player-led leadership, and a clear goal: make playing stateside lucrative, empowering, and culture-shifting.
Who’s Behind Unrivaled?
The driving forces behind the league are two of the most decorated and respected players in the WNBA. Breanna Stewart, a two-time WNBA champion and Olympic gold medalist, and Napheesa Collier, a WNBA All-Star, are not just lending their names — they are deeply involved in shaping the future of the game. Their motivation was simple: create a domestic league that prioritizes players' health, financial stability, and personal brands.
“We’re tired of having to go overseas just to make what we deserve,” Stewart said in an interview. “We want to build something sustainable here — something that grows with the players, for the players.”
Unrivaled isn’t just about basketball — it’s about building a culture. The league’s goals are clear:
Players will share in the league’s equity, making them true stakeholders. This gives them more control over their careers and the future of the league.
The shortened season and domestic setup help reduce physical toll and mental fatigue from constant international travel.
Through targeted marketing, community engagement, and social media storytelling, Unrivaled aims to bring women’s basketball to a broader and more diverse audience.
With plans to offer competitive salaries, sponsorship deals, and media opportunities, the league hopes to make women’s basketball a sustainable career for more athletes.
Backing for the league has poured in from across the sports world. NBA icon Steph Curry, soccer legend Alex Morgan, and NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo have all invested in Unrivaled, adding financial firepower and cultural relevance. Their involvement isn’t just a media play — it signals a shift in how elite athletes across sports view their roles in shaping the future.
Steph Curry, in particular, has been vocal about supporting women in sports, saying, “This is about creating something that lives beyond just this season or this generation. It’s legacy work.”
Unrivaled is not just another basketball league — it’s a statement. A movement. A declaration that the time for half measures in women’s sports is over. By placing athletes at the center of its business model, focusing on innovation, and engaging fans through bold storytelling, the league is poised to become a cornerstone of the future sports landscape.
the Unrivaled women's basketball league officially launched on January 17, 2025, in Miami, Florida. Unrivaled’s inaugural season ran from January 17 to March 17, 2025, featuring a 3-on-3 format with six teams: Rose BC, Vinyl BC, Lunar Owls BC, Laces BC, Mist BC and Phantom BC each team comprising six players, including prominent names like Angel Reese, Sabrina Ionescu, and Brittney Griner.
The regular season followed a round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to a single-elimination playoff. Additionally, the league hosted a 1-on-1 single-elimination tournament in February, offering a $250,000 top prize.
The playoffs culminated in a thrilling championship game on March 17, where Rose BC defeated Vinyl BC with a score of 62–54. Chelsea Gray led Rose BC with 18 points and was named Finals MVP. Teammates Azurá Stevens and Brittney Sykes contributed significantly, with Stevens adding 19 points and 18 rebounds, and Sykes scoring 21 points, including the title-clinching free throw.
The season's standout performers included: MVP: Napheesa Collier (Lunar Owls BC), Defensive Player of the Year: Angel Reese (Rose BC), Finals MVP: Chelsea Gray (Rose BC), Top Scorer: Napheesa Collier, averaging 25.7 points per game, Rebound Leader: Angel Reese, with 169 rebounds, Assist Leader: Chelsea Gray, with 76 assists.
Unrivaled's inaugural season set a new standard for women's professional basketball, combining competitive play with player empowerment. As the league looks ahead to future seasons, its innovative approach continues to inspire and reshape the landscape of women's sports.
