A Tale of Two Leagues: Griner’s Call for Change
Brittney Griner, the Phoenix Mercury’s towering All-Star and Olympic gold medalist, isn’t holding back. The WNBA legend has a message, and it’s less “team huddle” and more “get it together, WNBA.” As the shiny new Unrivaled league sets the stage for its January debut, Griner has made it crystal clear: the WNBA is on the clock.
The 3-on-3 league, co-founded by WNBA standouts Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, is coming out guns blazing with an innovative model that has everyone’s eyebrows raised—and not because of a bad referee call. Unrivaled promises guaranteed salaries averaging $250,000 (cue the collective gasp from WNBA players) and even offers part-ownership stakes. You read that right—players with not just a paycheck but a real seat at the table.
Griner, never one to mince words, pointed to Unrivaled’s speed of execution during a recent press conference.
“Unrivaled is proving that you don’t need decades to figure out how to treat your players right,” she quipped. “If you’re satisfied with the status quo, good luck—because we’re not.”
Ouch. Message received, WNBA?
CBA Turmoil Meets Unrivaled Buzz
This shake-up couldn’t come at a juicier moment. The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) recently hit the WNBA with a “Dear John” letter, opting out of the league’s current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike didn’t just spill the tea; she poured the whole kettle.
“We’re done playing nice,” Ogwumike declared. “It’s not about asking anymore—it’s about demanding. We’ve earned it.”
Griner doubled down on these sentiments, offering a blunt forecast for the WNBA: adapt or watch from the sidelines.
“This is going to put real pressure on the WNBA to level up,” Griner remarked. “Hopefully, they get more fans, more corporate backing—because right now, it’s not enough.”
She might as well have added, “Tick-tock, WNBA. Tick-tock.”
Why Unrivaled Has Everyone Talking
Launching this January, Unrivaled promises not only higher paychecks but also a prime-time spotlight, with games airing on TNT and streaming on Max. No more obscure time slots or searching through five apps to catch a game—this league wants to be seen.
And it’s working. The buzz surrounding Unrivaled feels more like NBA Finals-level hype than the launch of a new venture. Could this be the start of a full-court press against the WNBA’s dominance?
Griner’s involvement with Unrivaled is especially poignant. It marks her first offseason gig since her harrowing time in Russian custody. After being thrust into international headlines in 2022, Griner’s return to basketball has been a mix of resilience and defiance—a fitting parallel to Unrivaled’s mission.
What’s Next for the WNBA?
Let’s face it: the WNBA’s playbook needs a serious rewrite. With Unrivaled offering financial security and equity, the WNBA risks being seen as the outdated flip phone of women’s basketball. Sure, it works—but who wouldn’t prefer an iPhone?
Griner’s warning isn’t just about money; it’s about respect and recognition. She’s not asking the WNBA to copy Unrivaled—she’s daring it to outdo it.
So, what’s it going to be, WNBA? Keep running the same play or finally step into the modern game? As Griner might say, “The ball’s in your court—try not to drop it.”
