unmatchedAmerican basketball league co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart And Nafeesa CollierReady for your close-up.
New 3-on-3 women's basketball league starts on Friday nights after a few years Idea of starting domestic league To WNBA athletes to get pay raises during offseason They do not need to go abroad.
“Because a lot of players probably my age and a little bit older are used to going overseas,” Stewart told CBS News. “And now it's like, no, you play the WNBA. You come to Unrivaled and we'll take care of you. We'll pay you. We'll make sure you continue to build your brand.
Collier and Stewart have both played for teams overseas: Collier in France and Stewart in Türkiye.
What is unmatched basketball?
Unrivaled is a new 3-on-3 women's professional basketball league where six teams, with six players on each team, compete for the title.
League will be available 36 WNBA playersThat includes the two co-founders, whose teams will play against each other on opening night. Sensational WNBA rookie Angel Reese's team plays in another tournament. Other WNBA stars fans can watch include Sabrina Ionescu, Sato Sabally, Alyssa Thomas and Arike Ogunbowale.
“I think I'll cover all of this in the introduction,” Collier said. “Once the ball goes up, it's just game on.”
Games will be played on the court he's about 20 feet short Compared to the WNBA court.
Marta Lavandier/AP
unique basketball rules
There will be three seven-minute quarters each and a fourth quarter that is not timed. Teams will play for a “winning score” determined by adding 11 points to the team leading after three quarters. For example: If Team
“Every game, we're going to have a game-winning shot,” Odds president Alex Bazell said. “This was important to us because coming out of the third quarter, there's no mystery about what you need to do.”
Only one free throw will be taken when a player commits a shooting foul with equal value to the shot. This means that if a player fails to shoot a 3-pointer, the free throw made will count for three points. A free throw after being fouled on a two-point attempt is worth two points and any and-1 situation is worth one point.
There will be an 18-second shot clock instead of the 24 seconds used by players in the WNBA. Unlike the final minute used in the WNBA, the clock will stop on a basket made in the last 30 seconds of the quarter.
Marta Lavandier/AP
How much are unmatched athletes getting paid?
Almost all players are earning more than $100,000. The average player salary is the highest ever for any women's sports league. There is more than $8 million in the salary pool.
Players are also getting equity stake in the league. The league is also holding a 1-on-1 tournament in February and the winner will be paid $250,000. Each player on the winning team will also receive $10,000.
Similar to WNBA games, players competed in a half-court shootout after morning practice. Shakira Austin performed first and earned $100 for her efforts. She finished last as the youngest player at the Lunar Ovals and had the advantage of knowing that smaller courts meant a closer shot.
“It's a great start to the day,” Austin said.
While halfcourt money is the same, players are earning much more as the league Claims Highest Average Salary For a professional women's league.
How to watch Unrivalled
The season runs from Friday through March 17 with most games played on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays. Two games will be shown in one night TNT or TruTVFormer WNBA star and basketball analyst Candace Parker will anchor a studio show during the broadcast.
“I can't put into words what it's going to be like,” Stewart said. “But the fact is there is so much hype, so much content, so much talk about Opening Night and we have worked really hard to get to this point on and off the court. Are excited to see him.” Have done.”
When is WNBA season?
The WNBA Draft is April 14, according to the league.
The regular WNBA season begins on May 16, two months after the Undefeated's final game. Three games will kick off the new season: Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream, Dallas Wings vs. Minnesota Lynx and Golden State Valkyries vs. Los Angeles Sparks.
Last season, WNBA star Stewart made history new york liberty Helping the team end its 27-year quest and win its first championship title. he was the one record breaking season For women's basketball, that includes single-game attendance records and all-time records for digital consumption and merchandise sales, according to the league.
The league said the 2025 season is already setting records before it starts, with each team playing a record-high 44 games.