Forget passport stamps and faraway flights — the WNBA’s finest are bringing the heat home this offseason with the highly anticipated launch of the Unrivaled league. Co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, this brand-new 3×3 league has quickly become the buzz in women’s basketball, with top-tier players signing on faster than you can say “EuroLeague.”
For years, WNBA players have practically lived out of suitcases, heading overseas to fill the painful seven-month gap in their schedules. But Stewart, ever the innovator, saw a better way. Instead of heading to foreign shores, why not create a league right here? “When we play overseas, it’s a sacrifice. Sure, there’s good money, but the time lost with family and friends is priceless,” Stewart noted, likely while still fighting off jetlag from a recent flight. “With Unrivaled, we get to stay home, see our loved ones, and still compete at an elite level.”
And it’s not just Stewart who’s cheering for this stateside league. Fellow star Kahleah Copper, ever the candid commentator, joined Willow Bay at the recent espnW Women + Sports Summit to rave about the vision and mission behind Unrivaled. “Honestly, who better to design a league than players like Stewie and Phee? They understand what we go through, and they want nothing but the best for us,” Copper said, likely adding a mental ‘thank you’ to her passport for its long-overdue vacation. “This isn’t just a league; it’s a chance to play the game we love without the endless flights and lost family moments.”
Copper, who’s all-in on Unrivaled, also brought up the financial perks — a big plus for players who’ve spent countless seasons chasing contracts abroad. “We’ve been supplementing our income overseas, but now we can do it here, and our families can actually come watch us play,” she said, possibly hinting that moms and dads everywhere are preparing their foam fingers and poster boards.
The league, which tips off in January, will feature 30 of the WNBA’s best, with six teams playing twice a week and players earning a minimum of $100,000. But for all the excitement, not everyone has signed on. A’ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark, two big names in women’s basketball, have yet to commit. Perhaps they’re waiting for a personal invitation from Stewart herself, or maybe they’re just holding out to make a dramatic entrance.
In the last few weeks, more names have been added to the roster. Kate Martin became the 27th player to commit, setting off fan buzz that Caitlin Clark would be next. Instead, it was her teammate Lexie Hull who signed on, becoming the 28th. Not one to be outdone, Aaliyah Edwards quickly followed suit as the 29th, leaving just one coveted spot open.
As the league prepares for its January debut, fans are eagerly anticipating a season of intense competition, plenty of friendly trash talk, and, best of all, no need to track international flights to cheer on their favorite players. Stewart and Collier are redefining what an offseason can be, proving once and for all that you don’t have to cross an ocean to chase your dreams — or your paycheck.