The sports world is buzzing with excitement as Unrivaled, the new professional women's 3-on-3 basketball league, receives significant investment from the Avenue Sports Fund. Announced on November 27, 2024, the collaboration positions Unrivaled as not just another league, but as a transformative entity for women's basketball.
Co-founded by WNBA icons Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, Unrivaled aims to showcase the top female basketball talent across six dynamic teams. What sets this league apart is its unique structure: it combines the high-octane excitement of 3-on-3 basketball with opportunities for equity and ownership among its players. This player-led model ensures the athletes have more than just a paycheck; they have skin in the game.
The league is set to officially kick off its inaugural season on January 17, 2025, with all games held at Mediapro North America, featuring cutting-edge facilities and production technology. Collaborations with the Wide Angle Group have created specialized court dimensions to optimize gameplay for this compressed full-court style.
Interest surrounding Unrivaled has surged, especially with the announcement of its multi-year media rights partnership with TNT Sports. This agreement guarantees extensive coverage of live games on TNT and truTV, along with streaming options available on the Max platform. The investment from Avenue Sports Fund, led by Marc Lasry, is seen as pivotal to the league's future, aligning with Lasry's deep commitment to advancing women's sports.
“We are excited to back Unrivaled as the new league's thrilling 3-on-3 competition moves to launch in the next two months,” stated Marc Lasry, Avenue Capital's Chairman and CEO. His insight stems from years of experience with sports investments and his belief in the growing popularity of women's basketball.
The financial backing from Avenue Sports demonstrates confidence in Unrivaled’s business model and its ability to capitalize on the rise of women’s sports. Alex Bazzell, the league’s president, expressed gratitude for the investment, highlighting how it signifies not just support for the league but also recognition of its innovative position within the sports industry.
Unrivaled is not just focusing on immediate gains but also on sustainable growth within women's sports. With its structure emphasizing player ownership, it aims to offer historic contract opportunities, setting the bar high with the highest average salary recorded for any women's professional sports league.
This investment also places Unrivaled among the growing segment of women’s leagues aiming to establish themselves as equal contenders alongside their male counterparts. Thanks to Avenue Sports, the vision of creating competitive and entertaining sports environments for women appears more achievable than ever.
Heading toward its launch, Unrivaled has already begun to build its brand identity, focusing on representation, empowerment, and high-level athletic competition. This league’s structure and the support it garners indicate significant shifts occurring not only in basketball but across all women's sports. With media rights secured, top-tier sponsorship, and innovative gameplay formats, Unrivaled is slated to make its mark.
The partnership with corporate giants such as Ally Financial, one of its founding partners, showcases the commercial viability of women’s sports leagues, reflecting growing investor interest. Companies are beginning to recognize the potential and return on investment within women’s athletics, which have historically been underfunded and undervalued.
The excitement and anticipation this league has generated resonate well beyond basketball. It symbolizes hope for female athletes aspiring to make their mark as professionals, as Unrivaled strives to be more than just entertainment—it's about transforming lives, breaking barriers, and creating new narratives.
Unrivaled’s evolution, founded on strong player leadership and innovative investment strategies, promises to inspire the next generation of athletes. The potential for growth is expansive, with the league planning to play not only competitive games but also to engage with fans through various initiatives, making basketball more accessible and relatable.
With the inaugural season just around the corner, the spotlight is on Unrivaled, and all eyes are eager to witness how this player-owned league will change the face of women's sports forever. For those ready to tune in, Unrivaled is set to reframe narratives and inspire enthusiasm for women’s basketball unlike ever seen before.
