Witnessing explosive growth, this women's basketball league secures a $340 million valuation, revolutionizing athlete equity and delivering unprecedented returns in just its second year.
Unrivaled is heading into its second season not merely intact, but emboldened, arriving back in South Florida with a valuation that would have seemed improbable for a startup women’s league just a year ago.
The professional women’s basketball league, which stages its 3-on-3 games on a custom-built television court in Medley, is now valued at $340 million ahead of its 2026 season. The figure reflects early profitability driven by ticket sales, merchandise and the opening phase of a six-year, $100 million media rights agreement with TNT. Games are also carried on TruTV and streamed on HBO Max.
The valuation places Unrivaled in rare territory for a league entering only its second year, even as it remains well below the established WNBA, which is valued at approximately $3.5 billion as it approaches its 30th season. The contrast highlights both how far women’s professional basketball has come and how much momentum remains.
Unrivaled’s model differs sharply from traditional leagues. The competition features eight teams and 48 players in 2026, up from six teams and 36 players in its inaugural 2025 season. The league is collectively owned by its players, rather than by individual franchise owners, a structure that aligns directly with its founding mission of increasing compensation and long-term equity for athletes.
That mission has drawn some of the sport’s most recognizable names. The first season included stars such as Angel Reese, while the upcoming campaign will add newcomers, including Paige Bueckers. The league has also attracted investment from high-profile athletes outside women’s basketball, including Serena Williams and Stephen Curry, though specific figures have not been disclosed.
Player compensation remains central to Unrivaled’s appeal. During its eight-week 2025 season, the average Unrivaled player earned $220,000, more than double what many WNBA players made heading into training camp that year for a four-month season. In addition to salary, Unrivaled athletes receive equity in the league itself, offering a stake in long-term growth rather than short-term contracts.
The structure also reduces the need for players to compete overseas during the WNBA offseason, a long-standing reality for many athletes seeking supplemental income.
For some players, the league’s return to South Florida carries personal meaning. Erica Wheeler, a guard for the Seattle Storm and a Liberty City native, will play professionally in front of her family for the first time in her 11-year career. Wheeler previously played for teams including the Indiana Fever and spent seasons overseas.
Unrivaled was founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, both of whom have been outspoken about player treatment and pay equity. Collier has previously criticized officiating standards and institutional support within the WNBA, remarks that prompted a public response from WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
As the women’s basketball audience continues to grow—fueled by college stars transitioning to the professional ranks—Unrivaled is positioning itself as both a competitive alternative and a complementary force.
The league opens its 2026 season Monday, Jan. 5, at Wayfair Arena, with games running through March, once again placing South Florida at the center of a rapidly evolving women’s basketball economy.