As the Unrivaled 3×3 league prepares for its January launch, excitement is heating up—and so are the jokes about long-haul flights to overseas leagues. Founded by WNBA superstars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, the Unrivaled league promises not only to keep players in top form during the offseason but also to cut down on the need for players to moonlight overseas for financial stability. In other words, thanks to Stewart and Collier, players might finally get to stay in one timezone for a while.
Stewart has been outspoken about the seven-month lull between the WNBA seasons, an awkward limbo where players often find themselves jetting off to faraway courts in search of income and, perhaps, a passport stamp or two. But the Unrivaled league is stepping up as the remedy, offering players a chance to stay in the U.S., play competitively, and—wait for it—see their families more than twice a year. In a conversation with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America, Stewart put it bluntly: “We go overseas, we lose so much precious time with our families, our friends—basically everything we love outside of basketball. Unrivaled lets us stay here and still play at a high level.”
Of course, Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier are not the only big names backing this player-first, family-friendly project. Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper recently shared her enthusiasm at the “espnW Women + Sports Summit,” going all-in on the mission. “It’s two of the best players in the WNBA who know what players really deserve. They’ve lived it; they get it. They’re pushing for what’s best,” Copper said. And when “what’s best” means domestic games, quality competition, and a respectable paycheck, it’s hard to disagree.
Currently, a whopping 29 players have signed on, with the recent additions of WNBA standouts like Lexie Hull, Kate Martin, and Aaliyah Edwards. Though some players, including A’ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark, are holding out (cue the dramatic music), fans are convinced it’s only a matter of time before the last roster spot is snapped up. This exclusive club of 30 players is shaping up to be a who’s who of the WNBA, and the competition will undoubtedly be fierce as each team battles twice weekly for bragging rights—and maybe even that coveted Unrivaled championship ring (although no word yet on if that’s an actual thing).
And if you’re still wondering, yes, the Unrivaled league is offering players a minimum salary of $100,000—a refreshing break from the overseas gigs where many have traditionally played. So, not only are these athletes getting paid for their skills, but they’ll also get to sleep in their own beds and, yes, probably spend a few fewer hours in security lines.
The league’s lineup might still be finalizing, but one thing’s for sure: Unrivaled is shaking things up in a way the WNBA hasn’t seen before. Players get to train and compete at home, fans get a slice of top-tier basketball in the offseason, and no one has to explain to customs why they’re carrying ten pairs of size-14 basketball shoes.
So, January can’t come soon enough, and it seems everyone—players, families, fans, and maybe even TSA agents—are here for it. Let the countdown to Unrivaled begin!
