"The 3x3 game differs so much from WNBA basketball that Unrivaled's utility as a gauge for player development is dubious. Last year, stars who had dismal Unrivaled seasons—Stewart, Aliyah Boston, Satou Sabally—went on to have their typically excellent WNBA seasons. It's certainly an appealing opportunity for media members to go to Miami in the winter: Last February, I watched games at the Unrivaled facility and found myself genuinely taken by the atmosphere and in-person product."
"It's easy to understand what the players get out of it: Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart founded the startup basketball league in 2023 as an offseason option for a few dozen WNBA players, offering them equity and competitive salaries to play 3x3 games on a Miami soundstage. For them it's a convenient way to get paid, stay in shape, and remain in the U.S. during the winter months, when their earning opportunities have historically been overseas."
Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart founded Unrivaled in 2023 as an offseason 3x3 league offering equity and competitive salaries to a few dozen WNBA players. The league provides a U.S.-based winter alternative so players can earn, stay in shape, and avoid overseas seasons. The 3x3 format differs greatly from WNBA 5-on-5, limiting Unrivaled's usefulness as a development or evaluation tool. Some players approach Unrivaled with varying seriousness, while others, notably Collier's Lunar Owls, practice intensely. Media members find the in-person atmosphere appealing but question the game's competitive realism. Ambitions to rival the WNBA or mirror Project B appear unlikely.
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