Unrivaled Kicks Off Its Second Season

As 2025 nears its end, Unrivaled is set to launch its second season. Created by WNBA All-Stars Brianna Stewart and Napheesa Collier last year, this 3-on-3 league offers an alternative for players who usually head overseas during the winter months. In its inaugural season, six teams competed in a condensed full-court format over ten weeks, with mid-season head-to-head tournaments. The aim was clear: enable players to stay in the U.S. during winter, refine their skills in a competitive setting, and earn a substantial income. Fans embraced this winter women’s basketball season, which welcomed spectators to the games.

This year, the action starts earlier, with the first games scheduled for January 5, 2026. Following a successful debut in 2025, Unrivaled returns with two new teams and a broader roster, plus an exciting trip to Philadelphia.

But amid the ongoing negotiations surrounding the WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement, it raises a question: could this be the last time fans see these basketball stars for a while?

The current CBA is set to expire on January 9, 2026. Initially, it looked promising for a deal to be reached by that date; however, recent updates suggest that agreement may not come as easily. Reports indicate some overly aggressive proposals from the league, including cuts to the housing program and reluctance to enhance revenue sharing, have left players feeling uneasy. The notion of moving the season start to March isn’t resonating well either.

Unrivaled aims to serve as a developmental offseason league, allowing players to generate income domestically during the offseason. In 2025, players averaged about $220,000 annually, with opportunities for bonuses through playoff victories and tournaments. Those figures are expected to rise in 2026, according to the Unrivaled management.

In recent years, the trend of players and former athletes starting their own leagues has accelerated, driven by a desire for better income and control over winter play. This movement started with Athletes Unlimited and has gained traction with Unrivaled, while Project B is also making strides.

With the growth of these new leagues, one wonders if the WNBA might reconsider its CBA strategies. The league seems to be shifting its season to start in March and has enforced stricter attendance rules for training camps to prioritize WNBA participation.

Currently, players with two or more years of experience are expected to report to their team’s training camp or face a potential suspension for the season. It seems the league’s aim is to dissuade players from opting for alternatives.

This approach might have negative repercussions, though.

The WNBA likely wants the public perception to be that it’s the premier league for women’s basketball, where players would prefer to compete. Yet, they can’t dictate player choices when new leagues are offering competitive salaries.

These new leagues attract significant WNBA talent. Unrivaled’s second season will feature not just returning stars like Napheesa Collier and Brianna Stewart but also emerging talents such as Paige Bakkers and Cameron Brink. Other well-known players from the WNBA, like Jackie Young and Skylar Diggins, are also part of the mix.

Keeping such talent sidelined in favor of lower salaries and less revenue-sharing doesn’t bode well for the WNBA.

For the moment, Unrivaled offers thrilling basketball all winter long, so hopefully, fans will enjoy it while they can. The introduction of Unrivaled Coaches and a new draft will alter team dynamics significantly. Bueckers will don the jersey for the new Breeze Basketball Club, while Collier aims for another MVP title with the Lunar Owls BC.

Unrivaled has also signed WNBA All-Rookie Team stars Kiki Iliafen and Sonia Citron from the Washington Mystics, who will join the Phantoms BC and another new team, the Hibs BC. Additionally, broadcasts on TNT Sports will expand to four nights a week, up from three in the last season.

Considering how CBA negotiations unfolded last week, this might be the last chance to watch women’s professional basketball until 2026, so it’s worth savoring while it lasts.