Fri, 17 Jan 2025

Unrivaled women's basketball league debuts Friday. Here's everything we know about it

The Unrivaled basketball league will play its first games, airing on TNT, on Friday. It's poised to capitalize on growing national interest in women's sports.
Key Points: 1. Unrivaled Launches with 36 Players: The league will feature 36 players, all of whom played in the WNBA last year. 2. High-Profile Investors: Unrivaled has raised $35 million from investors including basketball stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Carmelo Anthony, as well as Olympians like Alex Morgan and Michael Phelps. 3. Sponsorship Deals: The league has secured sponsorship deals with companies like Sephora, State Farm, Wilson, Ally Financial, and Samsung. 4. TNT Sports Partnership: Unrivaled will be broadcast on TNT Sports, with a crew of announcers and studio hosts that includes Basketball Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie and two-time WNBA MVP Candace Parker. 5. Growing Interest in Women's Sports: The article notes that there is a growing interest in women's sports, particularly basketball, which has seen a surge in viewership and attendance numbers. Impact on the WNBA: 1. New Business Opportunities: Unrivaled is expected to have a big impact on the business of women's basketball, potentially leading to increased wages and benefits for WNBA players. 2. Growing Spotlight on WNBA Athletes: The growing spotlight on WNBA athletes gives them greater leverage at the negotiating table when it comes to collective bargaining agreements. Other Key Points: 1. Unrivaled's Vision: The league aims to expand the landscape of women's sports and provide a new business opportunity for players, teams, and sponsors. 2. Growing Popularity of Women's Basketball: The article notes that there is a growing interest in women's basketball, with increased viewership and attendance numbers. Overall, this article provides an overview of the launch of Unrivaled and its potential impact on the WNBA and the business of women's sports more broadly.
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