With the 2024 WNBA season having formally concluded with the New York Liberty defeating the Minnesota Lynx in a highly-contenuous Game 5, those looking for more basketball featuring the WNBA’s biggest stars will not have to look far to see them play yet again.

Set to launch on Jan. 17, 2025, the “Unrivaled” basketball league will feature 30 of the WNBA’s biggest players playing each other in 3v3 basketball games. Created by Lynx star Napheesa Collier and Liberty star Breanna Stewart, the league will have six teams with five players each.

Teams will be decided by a selection committee that determines how a team is created based on the position and their skill level. Additionally, each team will have a head coach, an assistant coach and a team manager throughout the duration of the league.

Regarding the league’s rules, games will be played on a smaller-than-usual basketball court – 70 feet by 50 feet – with four seven-minute quarters taking the place of the usual 10-minute quarters the WNBA has. There will also be a shot clock in addition to the game regular game clock.

As it stands, the regular season will be played from January to March, with a one-on-one single elimination mid-season tournament. Games are played three nights a week – Monday, Friday and Saturday – with two matches played on those nights on a custom-built court in Miami, totalling 45 games.

Angel Reese joins WNBA Finals MVP Jonquel Jones

Angel Reese supported the Unrivaled League during the WNBA Finals ( 

Image:

Getty)

Players also will be given housing with access to a gym and practice facilities throughout the season. At the end of the season, the four teams with the best records will head to the playoffs, where the teams will play for the cash prize of a minimum of six figures.

One of the main reasons for Unrivaled’s creation was to help supplement a player’s income, allowing players to remain in the United States and to bypass the league’s prioritization rules. In preparation for the league, it was reported that TNT sports struck a deal with Unrivaled for an undisclosed amount to broadcast the league, once it fully kicks off.

Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell explained the importance of having a league that will help supplement the WNBA’s players. We have an obligation to the players to build the most highly competitive product we can and the best business we can because they’re all owners in this business,” he told Front Office Sports. “Having the freedom to just go out to the open market freely and figure out who the best partner for us would be was everything for us.”

Players confirmed for “Unrivaled”

  • Napheesa Collier
  • Breanna Stewart
  • Chelsea Gray
  • Arike Ogunbowale
  • Jewell Loyd
  • Kelsey Plum
  • Rhyne Howard
  • Kahleah Copper
  • Jackie Young
  • Angel Reese
  • Satou Sabally
  • Natasha Cloud
  • Allisha Gray
  • Paige Bueckers
  • Dearica Hamby
  • Marina Mabrey
  • Kayla McBride
  • Skylar Diggins-Smith
  • Rickea Jackson
  • DiJonai Carrington
  • Courtney Vandersloot
  • Brittney Sykes
  • Shakira Austin
  • Tiffany Hayes
  • Brittney Griner
  • Azura Stevens
  • Courtney Williams