Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark is keeping her offseason options wide open, and for good reason. The WNBA offseason, stretching from October to April, can be as unpredictable as the playoffs themselves. With the league’s lower salaries, many players look to international leagues in Europe or Asia to boost their earnings. Meanwhile, others, like Aliyah Boston from the Fever, pivot to media roles, analyzing college games and staying in the spotlight.
But this upcoming offseason brings a fresh, exciting alternative: Unrivaled. This new 3x3 league, co-founded by Paris gold medalists Napheesa Collier of the Lynx and Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty, is set to kick off in January 2025. It will feature 30 of the top WNBA players, bringing a high-energy, fast-paced format to the court.
Here’s the lowdown on Unrivaled:
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League Structure: Unrivaled will consist of six teams, each with five players, engaging in intense 3x3 action. This isn’t your typical 3x3 setup either—expect a larger court (70 feet by 50 feet), four quarters, a game clock, and a shot clock, differing from the usual 10-minute, single-period Olympic and FIBA formats.
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Season Layout: The league will run for eight weeks. Teams will first compete in a round-robin format over six weeks, and the top four teams will advance to a two-week postseason. Additionally, a 1v1 tournament will run throughout the season, with the top individual player earning a minimum of $250,000.
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Player Compensation: Unrivaled promises to offer the highest average salaries in women’s sports history. Plus, all players will receive equity in the league, which is a major step forward in player compensation and involvement.
Last week, Collier teased on Twitter that the league will feature at least four rookies this winter, with Angel Reese already confirmed. Unrivaled is revealing new players daily—11 have been announced so far. Caitlin Clark, a standout with the Fever, is among the top 30 players in the WNBA. Despite being a rookie, she leads the league with 8.2 assists per game, ranks third with 71 three-pointers, and is 13th with 17.1 points per game.
Clark, the 2024 No. 1 draft pick, has yet to confirm her participation in Unrivaled. When asked about her plans, she remained focused on her current season with the Fever. “I’m just focused on this right now,” Clark said. “One thing at a time. Can’t always be moving onto the next; my focus is right here.”
Although Clark doesn’t need the extra income—her endorsements with Nike, State Farm, Gatorade, and other big names bring in significantly more than her $75,000 WNBA salary, including a reported $28 million Nike shoe deal over eight years—joining Unrivaled could be more about honing her skills and staying competitive during the offseason.
Why Unrivaled Could Be a Game-Changer:
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High Stakes and High Rewards: With the promise of substantial salaries and equity, Unrivaled offers an appealing alternative for players who want to keep their game sharp without heading overseas.
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Elite Competition: Featuring top WNBA players and a competitive 1v1 tournament, the league will be a showcase of elite talent and thrilling basketball.
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Innovative Format: The league’s unique court dimensions and game structure will offer fans a fresh perspective on 3x3 basketball, blending the best of traditional play with innovative rules.
As we look forward to the inaugural season, Unrivaled is shaping up to be a major addition to the basketball calendar. Whether or not Clark chooses to join, the league promises to bring a new level of excitement to the offseason, setting the stage for thrilling matchups and impressive performances. Keep an eye out for more updates as the league unfolds and players like Clark weigh their options for this exciting new chapter in women’s basketball.
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