In a world where basketball stars are racking up frequent flyer miles overseas to keep their wallets healthy, Unrivaled is stepping up to bring them a much-needed reprieve. And guess who just signed on to this brand-new, fast-paced league? Brittney Griner, the Phoenix Mercury’s fearless force and shot-blocking maestro, is officially “Unrivaled.” Who’s next? Probably the rest of the WNBA’s royalty at this point!
The Unrivaled league, a three-on-three extravaganza spearheaded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, kicks off this January during the WNBA’s offseason. It’s practically a royal decree for hoop stars who’d rather not pack up for Russia or Turkey just to pay their bills. Imagine the energy of a three-on-three game where Griner, Angel Reese, and Breanna Stewart go head-to-head. That’s Unrivaled’s vision: a star-studded, homegrown hoops fest that’s finally making offseason life a little easier (and a lot less jet-lagged) for players.
As the 24th player to join the roster, Griner is adding her name to a lineup that already reads like an all-star menu. Alongside her are heavyweights like the Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese, Seattle Storm’s three-point queen Jewell Loyd, and the Las Vegas Aces’ power trio—Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young.
But let’s not ignore the money shift happening in women’s hoops. Thanks to a groundbreaking $200 million-a-year WNBA media rights deal, basketball in the U.S. is finally paying players what they’re worth—at least, closer to it. It’s about time, too, as more and more fans tune into games and make their way to the stands. Griner’s move to Unrivaled only underlines the league’s appeal, especially for fans who’ve recently fallen for the lightning-paced three-on-three style showcased in the Summer Olympics.
And for those die-hard fans? Stewart and Collier are practically throwing a party for them—one where they don’t need passports to cheer on their favorite stars.