A brand new skilled girls’s basketball league is coming to the US, and it might change every part for the sport’s high athletes. The Lynx’s Napheesa Collier and the Liberty’s Breanna Stewart — former teammates the College of Connecticut and two of the WNBA’s greatest stars — are launching Unmatched, a three-on-three basketball league to happen in Miami throughout the WNBA offseason. The league will probably be player-owned and boast a minimal wage of $100,000, and can give gamers a chance to remain within the U.S. throughout the offseason fairly than play abroad.
Particulars surrounding Unmatched have been revealed in rolling trend, and this week, Collier took to Twitter to reply followers’ questions and share extra details about how every part will work. Right here’s what we realized.
Which WNBA stars are taking part in in Unmatched?
Unmatched will embrace thirty of the largest WNBA stars, and can notably be player-owned. Over the previous few months, the league’s official Twitter account has been teasing details about individuals and revealing names one after the other in an effort to extend the excitement across the league.
Ten individuals — all WNBA All Stars — already been introduced: Breanna Stewart (Liberty), Napheesa Collier (Lynx), Arike Ogunbowale (Wings), Chelsea Grey (Aces), Jewell Loyd (Storm), Kelsey Plum (Aces), Rhyne Howard (Dream), Kahleah Copper (Mercury), Jackie Younger (Aces), and Angel Reese (Sky). Moreover, College of Connecticut star Paige Bueckers is slated to hitch in 2025.
Angel Reese’s taking part might show notably useful for drawing consideration to the league given her huge following — Reese’s 3.8 million Instagram followers make her essentially the most adopted athlete in girls’s basketball.
Angel is ✨a enterprise lady✨& is aware of the ability of possession. That is the one funding as basketball gamers we will management. Angel is a part of this group that’s bringing in a ton of viewership, she ought to have long run upside within the development of basketball! Plus we’re in Miami… https://t.co/0vSii4tF7Q
— napheesa collier (@PHEEsespieces) August 9, 2024
“Angel is a enterprise lady AND is aware of the ability of possession,” Collier mentioned, by way of X. “That is the one funding as basketball gamers we will management.”
Collier additionally revealed 4 rookies (and counting) are set to play, although solely Reese has been formally introduced up to now. Cameron Brink, Caitlin Clark, Kamilla Cardoso, Kate Martin, Rickea Jackson, and different high WNBA rookies may be within the combine.
When and the place will video games be performed?
Unmatched will host two video games in a row, three nights per week. Collier mentioned that the league is within the closing phases of media negotiations, however that “it will likely be very straightforward for followers to seek out us”, presumably on tv or on a streaming platform.
The league will probably be primarily based in Miami, however will go on tour to a number of cities all through the season.
Collier additionally mentioned the sport size will probably be “regular basketball” fairly than the Olympics’ 10-minute quarters. “That appears irritating and tiring,” she wrote.
Nah, that appears irritating and tiring
Ours is gonna really feel like regular basketball simply with extra spacing. 4 quarters, 2 subs on every crew, and coaches. https://t.co/PnSyQG65FO— napheesa collier (@PHEEsespieces) August 9, 2024
How will Unmatched rosters be assembled?
Unmatched will embrace six groups, with 5 gamers on every crew. A variety committee will break up groups by place and talent, and and there will probably be participant motion between groups just like the WNBA, per Collier.
It doesn’t sound just like the league’s co-founders will probably be paired up.
“Sadly Sunday could be the final time me and Stewie play collectively till Nationwide crew begins again up once more,” Collier wrote.
Every crew can have a head coach, an assistant, and a crew supervisor. Some coaches will probably be from the WNBA, whereas others gained’t.
“We’ll have an excellent assortment of skilled coaches,” Napheesa Collier wrote.
The place can folks purchase tickets?
Tickets will probably be introduced within the fall on the official web site, www.unequalled.basketball. There will even be jerseys for buy, Collier assured followers.
What’s the cope with the one-on-one event?
Along with the three-on-three element, gamers will even compete in a single-elimination on-on-one event, with the winner receiving a minimal of $250,000.
