What is Unrivaled? Teams, rosters, rules, contracts and more about new 3-on-3 women's basketball league

2 hours ago 1

Unrivaled Basketball is set to be a groundbreaking addition to women's professional sports in the United States.

Founded by WNBA superstars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, Unrivaled is a professional women's basketball league that will play its games in the U.S. The league will be made up of WNBA players, feature some of the game's biggest names and provide record-breaking compensation.

As it prepares for its inaugural season, here is everything to know about the new league, including teams, rosters, rules and more.

WNBA MOCK DRAFT: Where Paige Bueckers, other stars land after 2024 lottery

What is Unrivaled?

Unrivaled is a 3-on-3 professional women's basketball league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.

The league was established as a domestic alternative for WNBA players who would otherwise spend the winter months playing professionally overseas. Players will also be compensated at a historic rate.

The league will feature six teams of six players on each team and will be composed entirely of WNBA players. Unrivaled's inaugural season begins on Jan. 17, 2025. All games will be played in Miami.

Unrivaled teams

The inaugural season of the Unrivaled League will feature the following six teams:

  • Laces Basketball Club
  • Lunar Owls Basketball Club
  • Mist Basketball Club
  • Phantom Basketball Club
  • Rose Basketball Club
  • Vinyl Basketball Club

🚨NOVEMBER 20TH🚨 Be ready to choose your FAVORITE BASKETBALL CLUB👑 pic.twitter.com/hncuufiWlw

— Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) November 12, 2024

Unrivaled rosters

The Unrivaled League has not yet drafted its rosters for the 2025 season. The following 34 players are confirmed to take part in the inaugural campaign. 

PlayerPos.WNBA team
Shakira AustinF/CWashington Mystics
Aliyah BostonF/CIndiana Fever
DiJonai CarringtonG/FConnecticut Sun
Natasha CloudGPhoenix Mercury
Napheesa CollierFMinnesota Lynx
Kahleah CopperG/FPhoenix Mercury
Skylar Diggins-SmithGSeattle Storm
Stefanie DolsonCWashington Mystics
Aaliyah EdwardsFWashington Mystics
Allisha GrayGAtlanta Dream
Chelsea GrayGLas Vegas Aces
Brittney GrinerCPhoenix Mercury
Dearica HambyFLos Angeles Sparks
Tiffany HayesFLas Vegas Aces
Rhyne HowardGAtlanta Dream
Lexie HullGIndiana Fever
Rickea JacksonFLos Angeles Sparks
Jewell LoydGSeattle Storm
Marina MabreyGConnecticut Sun
Kate MartinGLas Vegas Aces
Kayla McBrideGMinnesota Lynx
Arike OgunbowaleGDallas Wings
Kelsey PlumGLas Vegas Aces
Angel ReeseFChicago Sky
Satou SaballyFDallas Wings
Azurá StevensF/CLos Angeles Sparks
Breanna StewartFNew York Liberty
Brittney SykesGWashington Mystics
Alyssa ThomasFConnecticut Sun
Courtney VanderslootGNew York Liberty
Courtney WilliamsGMinnesota Lynx
Jackie YoungGLas Vegas Aces
Rae BurrellG/FLos Angeles Sparks
Jordin CanadaGAtlanta Dream

MORE: How the Liberty broke through to end historic title drought

Is Caitlin Clark playing in Unrivaled?

Caitlin Clark is not yet a confirmed participant in Unrivaled's inaugural season. The Fever rookie has remained noncommital when asked whether she will play in 2025, but hasn't ruled it out.

“We’ll see,” Clark told ESPN earlier this month. “I don’t know. Just taking it as it goes, and see if I want to play eventually.”

A Front Office Sports report in October said Unrivaled pitched Clark a “(Lionel) Messi-like offer” to sign on, including a $1 million salary and shares in revenue.

“We’re always going to have a roster spot for Caitlin Clark,” Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell told Sportico. “We’re not applying a full-court press the way people think. We are letting her decompress from basketball. … She knows that we have a spot for her when she’s ready.”

Fans are holding out hope, however, that Clark will be among the final player announcements ahead of the club selection on Nov. 20.

Unrivaled rules

The Unrivaled League will feature a new form of 3-on-3 basketball played on a compressed full court that is 70 feet long and 50 feet wide. The games will be played in a one-hour broadcast window. Each game will feature four timed quarters, with a game clock and shot clock.

The season will be eight weeks long, including the playoffs.

In the regular season, all six teams will play a round-robin schedule. After the regular season, the top four teams in the standings will advance to the playoffs.

Unrivaled contracts

While the figures have not been shared publicly, Unrivaled is setting a record with the highest average salaries in women's sports history, per its website.

Sports Business Journal reported the average salary for players in Unrivaled is expected to be around $250,000, with all salaries at least six figures.

All 36 initial players will also receive equity ownership in their teams.

MORE: Why Mike Breen compared Caitlin Clark to Michael Jordan, LeBron James, & Stephen Curry

Unrivaled key dates

  • Nov. 20, 2024: Unrivaled Basketball Club Selection
  • Jan. 17, 2025: Regular season begins in Miami
  • Feb. 14, 2025: 1-on-1 tournament
  • March 10, 2025: Regular season ends
  • March 16, 2025: Semifinals
  • March 17, 2025: Championship
Read Entire Article