Natasha Cloud's remarks ignite speculation: could Unrivaled offer a WNBA safety net during labor disputes? Player equity and independent ownership fuel the debate.
The growing offseason basketball economy for WNBA players is beginning to intersect with labor uncertainty in ways that extend far beyond training and competition.
For several years, leagues such as Unrivaled and Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball have offered an alternative to overseas play, allowing players to remain in the United States while continuing to compete, earn income, and develop their games. For some athletes, international basketball remains an appealing cultural and financial opportunity. For others, particularly those who prefer domestic stability or have family considerations, these leagues have become an increasingly important offseason landing spot.
As those leagues grow, so have questions about their long-term role in the women’s basketball ecosystem. Unrivaled, co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, has drawn scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest and, more recently, over whether it could serve as a partial safety net should labor negotiations between the WNBA and the WNBPA fail ahead of the 2026 season.
Those questions resurfaced this week following comments from Natasha Cloud during an appearance on the Be Great Academy Podcast, a clip of which circulated widely on social media. Cloud spoke candidly about Unrivaled’s preparedness for various contingencies, stopping short of explicitly framing the league as a strike alternative while emphasizing its structural independence.
Cloud addressed the uncertainty directly, noting that she could not definitively say whether Unrivaled was a formal backup plan.
“I feel like I can’t say that there is or there isn’t (a back up plan) coz I’m not 100% sure, but I know Unrivaled is prepared in so many different instances and the biggest one being that we own the space that we play in.”
Cloud expanded on that point by highlighting what she sees as the league’s unique leverage: control over facilities, financial backing, and player equity.
“So if we wanted to stay here as the players of Unrivaled with equity in this league and with space, financial money, all that stuff, we could stay here, train, play, put on another season if need be,” she said. “So that’s a beautiful thing, and that’s why I’m so appreciative to be a part of a league like Unrivaled.”
Unrivaled was launched as a professional 3-on-3 league, but Cloud’s comments have fueled broader speculation about whether it could adapt if circumstances demanded. A theoretical pivot to 5-on-5 basketball — and potentially an expansion beyond its current structure — is not outside the realm of possibility, though there has been no indication that such plans are actively being pursued.
The scale of that challenge would be significant. Unrivaled’s second season features 54 players, while the WNBA employs roughly 150 to 160 athletes. Even with expansion, a substantial portion of the player pool would remain without a domestic league should the WNBA season be delayed.
For now, league officials and union representatives have emphasized stability. The most recent collective bargaining agreement extension expired on Jan. 9, but both sides have publicly stated they remain engaged in negotiations and are operating in good faith. There has also been consistent optimism expressed that a new deal will be reached in time for the 2026 season.
Still, Cloud’s remarks underscore a reality beneath the surface of those assurances. Players are discussing contingencies, and leagues like Unrivaled are being viewed not only as offseason opportunities, but as potential pillars in a shifting professional landscape. Whether or not those discussions ever translate into action, they reflect a growing desire among players for autonomy, infrastructure, and security — on and off the court.