What is Unrivaled? Explaining the experimental basketball league that added Angel Reese but missed out on Caitlin Clark
Landing Caitlin Clark would have been a league-changing win for Unrivaled.
But the start up women's basketball league is already shaking up the sport.
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"This is such an amazing time in women's sports and we're so thankful to all the positive people who have come out and supported us," co-founder Napheesa Collier said.
Angel Reese has already committed to the 3-on-3 league, which will feature 36 players and six teams.
The New York Liberty's Breanna Stewart and Collier, who plays for the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx, joined forces to found Unrivaled.
The league will provide women's basketball players an alternative to earning money overseas during the WNBA offseason.
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“I just hope you know the WNBA don’t pay my bills,” Reese, who earned an annual rookie salary of $73,439 for 2024, said during a live-stream.
“I don’t even think that pays one of my bills. Literally, I’m trying to think of my rent for where I stay at [in Chicago]. I’m gonna do the math real quick.”
Featuring an eight-week season and teams including Rose, Vinyl and Laces, the league will be played in Miami during its 2025 inaugural season.
Jewell Loyd and Arike Ogunbowale are also set to play in Unrivaled.
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Clark, who plays for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA, was set to receive an offer of more than $1 million per season to join Unrivaled.
"We'll see," Clark previously told IndyStar. "I don't know. Just taking it as it goes, and see if I want to play eventually."
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But reports Wednesday stated that the former Iowa star would pass on Unrivaled, and fans praised Clark for appearing to focus on personal rest during an already busy offseason.
"Smart decision by her," a fan tweeted. "Would be a big waste of time for her, considering she’s bigger than the WNBA. ... Why would she play in this league to help them?"
“We’re always going to have a roster spot for Caitlin Clark," Unrivaled President Alex Bazzell told Sportico.
Angel Reese sends shockwaves around WNBA by revealing she 'hopefully' forms a super team with rival Caitlin Clark
When does Unrivaled basketball start?
All 36 players are expected to be announced by late November.
The league will tip off on January 17.
Games will be played on Monday, Friday and Saturday nights, and TNT Sports has acquired the broadcast rights.
Unrivaled bills itself as a "brand new style of 3v3 basketball."
"The games will be played on a compressed full-court (70X50 feet)," the league's web site said.
How much will Unrivaled players be paid?
"The league is also setting a record with the highest average salaries in women’s sports history," Collier added. "All 30 initial players will receive equity ownership."
Extra money is clearly an incentive for Unrivaled.
Reese, a former LSU star, said her rent is $8,000 per month.
“I’m living beyond my means!” she said. “I wouldn’t even be able to get a sandwich if I wanted to.
"I wouldn’t be able to eat. I wouldn’t be able to live.”
What are the Unrivaled rosters?
Rose: Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Cooper, Angel Reese, Brittney Sykes, Lexie Hull, Azura Stevens
Vinyl: Aliyah Boston, Arike Ogunbowale, Rhyne Howard, Jordin Canada, Rae Burrell, Dearica Hamby
Mist: Jewell Loyd, Dijonai Carrington, Breanna Stewart, Courtney Vandersloot, Rickea Jackson, Aaliyah Edwards
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Lunar Owls: Skylar Diggins-Smith, Allisha Gray, Napheesa Collier, Natasha Cloud, Shakira Austin, Wild Card
Phantom: Jackie Young, Marina Mabrey, Satou Sabally, Tiffany Hayes, Brittney Griner, Wild Card.
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