The inaugural edition of the Unrivaled 3-on-3 basketball league wrapped up on March 17 and was a massive success.
For Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, who co-founded the tournament, the goal was to build a competitive league during the WNBA offseason where players could develop their games and simultaneously earn a salary. The project was such a hit that Collier and Stewart were recently named to the Time 100 list, which recognizes the 100 most influential people on the planet.
Unrivaled’s Success Propels Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart
The demand for women’s basketball continues to grow, and the Unrivaled tournament offers an entertaining and exciting format for fans and players alike. Being named to the Time 100 is a tremendous honor, one that will not only elevate Stewart and Collier’s status but also women’s basketball as a whole.
The two WNBA stars were two of only six athletes to make the list, with Simone Biles and Serena Williams the other women on the list.
Building something from the ground up is never easy, but Collier and Stewart appear to have taken all the necessary steps to ensure the league has a long and prosperous future. According to a recent piece from Front Office Sports, a league source confirmed that Unrivaled has made more than $27 million in revenue since its launch. In the same article, league commissioner Micky Lawler said the league “almost broke even.”
The Unrivaled project received a significant investment from sponsors. They had a television deal in place with TNT going into the tournament. Merchandise and ticket sales also helped the league achieve its financial targets.
Unrivaled took place in Miami, and the tournament lasted eight weeks, with games taking place between January and March. The games were played on a shorter court with seven-minute quarters, providing a fast-paced and electrifying style of play for the viewers.
Collier, Stewart Share a Close Relationship
Collier and Stewart were top recruits coming out of high school, and both players committed to the University of Connecticut to play under legendary head coach Geno Auriemma.
At Storrs, Conn., the forwards developed a close friendship on and off the court. The 2016 Huskies team that they were both a part of is still considered one of the greatest teams in NCAA basketball history. Led by Stewart, the 2016 UConn team defeated Syracuse to win the national championship and finished with a perfect 38-0 record.
Stewart went on to be drafted by the Seattle Storm as the first overall pick that same year, and Collier followed a few years later, with the Minnesota Lynx selecting her with the sixth pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft.
