Unrivaled 101: Rules, Rosters, and Everything to Know About the New Women’s Basketball League in Miami
Unrivaled: A New Era of Women’s Basketball Begins in Miami
Women’s basketball is entering a bold new chapter with the launch of Unrivaled, a groundbreaking 3-on-3 league set to tip off in Miami. Founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, Unrivaled offers 36 of the league’s top players a chance to compete domestically during the offseason, blending high-level competition with the raw, playground-style energy of the game.
The league, which runs from Jan. 17 to March 17, will feature six teams battling it out in a custom-built facility in Miami. With an eight-week season, Unrivaled aims to redefine professional women’s basketball by prioritizing player experience, innovation, and financial equity.
“Everything was built for the players,” said Luke Cooper, Unrivaled’s president of basketball operations. “The business, the facility, and the game itself—it’s all rooted in how you’d play basketball as a kid.”
What Sets Unrivaled Apart?
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Unrivaled isn’t just another league—it’s a player-first initiative designed to compete with the WNBA in terms of resources and compensation. With over $35 million in funding from high-profile investors like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Michael Phelps, Coco Gauff, and Dawn Staley, the league is making waves before its first game.
The average salary for Unrivaled players is approximately $222,222, surpassing the WNBA’s average of $119,500. Additionally, players receive equity in the league, a groundbreaking move that underscores its commitment to empowering athletes.
Star-Studded Rosters
Unrivaled boasts an impressive lineup of talent, including seven No. 1 WNBA draft picks, one MVP (Breanna Stewart), and 17 Olympians. Among the marquee names are Sabrina Ionescu, Brittney Griner, Jewell Loyd, and Aliyah Boston. While reigning WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson and rookie sensation Caitlin Clark opted out this season, the league has already secured commitments from future stars like UConn’s Paige Bueckers, who is expected to join in 2026.
The rosters were carefully crafted through a collaborative draft process in November, where six head coaches—including former Chicago Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon and ex-NBA assistant Phil Handy—selected players to create balanced teams.
A Unique Style of Play
Unrivaled’s 3-on-3 format is a fresh take on the game, played on a condensed full court (49.2 by 72 feet) rather than the half-court setup used in Olympic 3×3. Games consist of three seven-minute quarters, followed by a “winning score” fourth quarter, where teams play to a target score determined by adding 11 points to the leading team’s total.
The league has also introduced innovative rules to speed up the game and maintain its flow. For example, fouls result in a single free throw worth two or three points, depending on the shot attempt. Players foul out after six infractions, but teams can continue with fewer than three players if necessary.
How to Watch
Fans can catch Unrivaled games on TNT (Monday and Friday nights) and TruTV (Saturday games), with all matchups available for streaming on Max. The season kicks off with a 1-on-1 tournament from Feb. 10 to 14, featuring a $250,000 prize for the winner.
The Teams
Laces BC
- Stefanie Dolson, F/C
- Tiffany Hayes, G
- Kate Martin, G
- Kayla McBride, G
- Alyssa Thomas, F
- Jackie Young, G
Lunar Owls BC
- Shakira Austin, F/C
- Cameron Brink, F
- Napheesa Collier, G
- Skylar Diggins-Smith, G
- Allisha Gray, G
- Courtney Williams, G
Mist BC
- DiJonai Carrington, G
- Aaliyah Edwards, F
- Rickea Jackson, F
- Jewell Loyd, G
- Breanna Stewart, F
- Courtney Vandersloot, G
Phantom BC
- Natasha Cloud, G
- Brittney Griner, C
- Sabrina Ionescu, G
- Marina Mabrey, G
- Satou Sabally, F
- Katie Lou Samuelson, F
Rose BC
- Kahleah Copper, G
- Chelsea Gray, G
- Lexie Hull, G
- Angel Reese, G
- Azura Stevens, F/C
- Brittney Sykes, G
Vinyl BC
- Aliyah Boston, F/C
- Rae Burrell, G
- Jordin Canada, G
- Dearica Hamby, G
- Rhyne Howard, G
- Arike Ogunbowale, G
Unrivaled is more than just a league—it’s a movement. By combining elite talent, innovative gameplay, and a player-first philosophy, it’s poised to become a cornerstone of women’s basketball. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Miami, where the future of the game is being written.
As Unrivaled, the new 3-on-3 women’s professional basketball league, prepares to tip off in Miami on January 17, 2025, it marks a significant milestone in the evolution of women’s basketball. Founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier adn Breanna Stewart, this groundbreaking league is not merely an expansion or a tweak within the existing framework; it represents a radical shift towards a player-first approach that prioritizes both financial equity and innovative competition.
Unrivaled’s commitment to empowering athletes is exemplified by offering the highest average salary in U.S. women’s professional sports, with a minimum six-figure salary and equity in the league. This landscape-altering financial structure underscores the league’s dedication to transforming the domestic women’s professional sports landscape, moving beyond customary models that often leave athletes with minimal compensation and little ownership.
The league’s ambitions extend beyond mere financial reform. Unrivaled places a strong emphasis on player experience, as evident from its custom-built facility in Miami designed to replicate the raw, playground-style energy of the game.The league’s format—3-on-3 basketball played on a condensed full court—promises to deliver a faster-paced, more strategic game that blends the high-level competition of professional basketball with the unique flair of the 3-on-3 format.
The rosters of Unrivaled are no less notable, featuring seven No. 1 WNBA draft picks, one MVP (Breanna Stewart), and 17 Olympians.The presence of marquee names like Sabrina Ionescu, Brittney Griner, Jewell Loyd, and Aliyah Boston further highlights the league’s commitment to securing top talent. The collaborative draft process, overseen by six head coaches, has carefully balanced the teams to ensure competitive and engaging matchups throughout the eight-week season.
Unrivaled’s innovative approach is not just limited to its on-court product. The league has secured significant funding from high-profile investors, including Giannis Antetokounmpo and Coco Gauff, reinforcing its mission to disrupt the domestic women’s professional sports landscape with a groundbreaking model centered on athlete empowerment and growth.
As the curtain rises on Unrivaled’s inaugural season in Miami, it becomes clear that this league is poised not just to compete with the WNBA but to redefine professional women’s basketball altogether. With a bold vision for the future of the sport, Unrivaled promises to deliver not just entertaining basketball but also a new era of athlete support and development. As the world watches this new chapter unfold, one thing is certain: Unrivaled is more than just another league; it’s a revolution for women’s basketball.
The question about Red Bull’s struggles and how FIA rule adjustments could have impacted the RB20’s efficiency is separate from the information provided about the Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball league. To answer the query related to Red Bull, we would need to delve into the specifics of FIA rule adjustments and their potential impact on Red Bull’s RB20 car.
Red Bull’s Struggles and FIA rule Adjustments
Red Bull faced concerns from FIA regarding a front bib clearance component on their RB20 cars.The component, which allowed easier adjustments to the car’s ride height, was deemed a potential breach of parc fermé regulations. Despite the component’s existence, it was inaccessible once the car was fully assembled and ready to run, and Red Bull has as agreed to comply with the regulations by sealing the device, making it impractical to modify under parc fermé conditions without detection by the FIA[2][3].
This adjustment was made in response to concerns raised by rival teams, who felt that such a device could provide a competitive advantage by allowing teams to alter ride height post-qualifying. The FIA reinforced their rules to ensure compliance, implementing additional testing protocols to prevent any breaches of the regulations[2][3].
main Points
- Regulation Compliance: Red Bull acknowledged the presence of the front bib clearance component but agreed to seal it, making it inoperable under parc fermé conditions.
- Regulatory Changes: The FIA emphasized the importance of not modifying the car’s setup after qualifying to maintain fairness in racing.
- Season Performance: Despite these adjustments, Red Bull’s season performance has been impacted by these changes as they continue to work on optimizing their car setup within the new regulatory framework[2][3].
Conclusion
The FIA’s adjustments to the racing regulations have significantly impacted Red Bull’s strategy, leading them to focus on compliance rather than exploiting potential loopholes in the setup rules. This shift in focus underscores the importance of rule adherence in Formula 1, ensuring a level playing field for all competitors.