Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart—one defense powerhouse, the other an unstoppable offensive force—have never been the type to just sit back. Whether on the court or off, they live by a go-get-it mentality. So when the biggest long-standing issue in the WNBA became the topic, these two didn’t just talk about it; they acted. And that’s exactly how the Unrivaled League was born. 

Determined to provide women athletes the pay and opportunities they deserve, these stars built a league designed to keep players stateside. Opening up about what really pushed her and co-founder Stewie to launch this new league, Phee explained, “So I talked a little bit earlier about how players go overseas.”

Consequently, they would merely get 10 days off. According to the Minnesota Lynx star, the nonstop routine led to exhaustion, serious injuries, and barely any personal time with family. “Like, you’re missing holidays with your family,” she said. However, the overseas route wasn’t just a choice but a financial need. 

The 28-year-old confirmed that W players make most of their money off the court through branding. And going overseas was a barrier to this. “When you’re overseas, you go dark, like you can’t activate with brands, you can’t grow your following,” the hooper asserted during ‘Podact P with Paul George.’ 

She felt like everyone was monetizing off of it, except for the players. “And so kind of through all that, we came up with Unrivaled,” the Lynx forward shared.

But truly, though salaries have made some gains, the numbers still fall short. Top players can now earn up to $241,984, almost double the $121,500 cap of 2019. Even rookie salaries have climbed to $64,154. But still, it is much less compared to their male counterparts. As a result, for most WNBA players, staying afloat means playing overseas. The AP reported that about 50% of players do this double duty every offseason.

Stars might get lucrative deals, but the physical and mental toll is hefty. Enter Unrivaled, aiming to break this exhausting cycle. The new 3×3 league is offering more than just a paycheck.

With 30 initial roster spots (the latest filled by none other than Aliyah Boston), it gives an equity stake, ‘the highest average salary in women’s sports,’ in Phee’s words, and gives players the chance to improve on their home turf. But even with all these perks, one star rookie is still weighing her options. 

Caitlin Clark not in yet despite “Messi-like” offer

The Unrivaled League increased its roster from 30 to 36 players—possibly to give CC a chance to think it over. Alex Bazzell, Unrivaled’s president and Collier’s husband, recently hinted, “We’re always going to have a roster spot for Caitlin Clark.” Even though they’re not pressuring her, they’re ready to welcome her with open arms in case she changes her mind.

At the same time, reports say that the league is not holding back in the least, offering the Indiana Fever star what’s being labeled a “Messi-like” deal: a $1 million base salary, an equity stake, bonuses, and a cut of media rights. With TNT partnering, there is no doubt that joining the new league would be a major payday for Clark.

Although Lynx’s no. 24 believes ‘it’s great for rookies to get that exposure,’ for now, CC is sticking to her plan of taking a well-deserved break. She’s been busy spending time with family, cheering on her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, and enjoying her time on the golf course. She hasn’t confirmed anything yet, but who knows?