In a pivotal moment for the WNBA, Unrivaled’s second season emerges as more than just a basketball league—it’s a strategic hub for players navigating historic CBA negotiations. But here’s where it gets controversial: while Unrivaled was initially designed to offer high-level competition and camaraderie during the offseason, it’s now playing a dual role as a central gathering place for players to strategize and build solidarity amid what could be the most consequential collective bargaining agreement in WNBA history. And this is the part most people miss: as players like Napheesa Collier and Skylar Diggins sit on the sidelines due to injuries, their presence at Unrivaled games isn’t just about basketball—it’s about fostering unity and accelerating CBA discussions during a time when in-person connections are harder to come by.
At Sephora Arena in Medley, Fla., Collier and Diggins shared a laugh moments before tipoff, a small yet powerful reminder of the league’s ability to bring star players together. Collier, who co-founded Unrivaled with fellow WNBA star Breanna Stewart, emphasized the challenges of negotiating during the offseason. “To have players congregated where you can have those in-person conversations and updates, I think that does help things move more quickly,” she said in a recent Zoom interview. This sentiment underscores the league’s unexpected but crucial role in facilitating player solidarity during a critical time.
The WNBA and its Player’s Association have been locked in negotiations for months, with the latest deadline set to expire on Friday. Tensions escalated last month when the WNBPA announced that players have authorized a strike if necessary, a move that could delay the expansion draft and free agency. Collier didn’t hold back in a television interview during an Unrivaled game, addressing the league’s concerns about sustainability: “I know what it takes to run a sustainable business… If they can’t find a model that makes that happen, they need to put people in place who can.” Her bold statement highlights the players’ resolve, but it also raises a thought-provoking question: Are the WNBA’s current leadership and business models truly equipped to meet the players’ demands?
Unrivaled’s growing influence isn’t just on the court. Ahead of its second season, the league announced a staggering $340 million valuation after closing an oversubscribed Series B investment round led by Bessemer Venture Partners. This massive figure reflects the surging momentum and interest in women’s sports, positioning Unrivaled as a potential Champions League of women’s basketball. “It’s not a competition towards the WNBA,” clarified Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell. “It’s just where we feel like we can position ourselves in the market.”
Bazzell’s confidence in the league’s longevity is backed by its ability to attract and retain some of the game’s biggest names. Around 75% of Unrivaled’s players, including reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers, are signed through 2028. “Once people remove the women’s sports blinders and start looking at the data,” Bazzell said, “it points to where we’re going right now. We are very bullish on not just where we are today but where we’re going tomorrow.”
As the WNBA’s CBA negotiations reach a critical juncture, Unrivaled stands as both a symbol of progress and a catalyst for change. But here’s the lingering question for readers: Can Unrivaled’s success and the players’ demands for a fair CBA coexist, or will they ultimately clash in the pursuit of a sustainable future for women’s basketball? Share your thoughts in the comments—this conversation is far from over.
