For 2 decades now, Lisa Leslie has continued to reflect her on-court expertise as a commentator and analyst for networks like ABC, Turner, FOX Sports Net, and NBC. Be it challenging the Rookie of the Year views or calling out foul errors by players, Leslie hasn’t been one too shy. But have her comments toned down with the commencement of Unrivaled? Another analyst seems to think so.

Former collegiate basketball player and creator, Rachel DeMita mentioned on her YouTube; “I love Lisa Leslie, I actually work with her on Big Three, she is a coach for Big Three and she does do some commentary for Big Three also, but I could see her biting her tongue a couple of times during the broadcast just trying to you know keep it light keep it upbeat.”

DeMita and Lisa Leslie have both made notable contributions to the BIG3 league. The YouTube creator joined as a courtside commentator in 2024, offering behind-the-scenes insights and showcasing the league’s top players, while Leslie, took on a coaching role, took her team, Triplets, to a championship title, and was in the booth the following year as an analyst. Her many stints in the role, including some with Orlando Magic and Chicago Sky, have built quite a reputation. But DeMita wasn’t pleased that the same did not reflect during her commentary recently.

“With Lisa, I would love to see her break down a player’s game and say, ‘This person should work on this, if this person could perfect the mid-range, that would take their game to the next level. If this person had a better-left hand, if this person utilized their drop set more to the basket and was able to finish at the rim,'” DeMita explains. “She says those things like those hold a lot of weight because they’re coming from such an incredible player that is Lisa Leslie.”

The LA Sparks icon joined the WNBA greats broadcast team for the inaugural Unrivaled season, credits to her illustrious career. Chief Content Officer of TNT Sports Craig Barry had expressed it was their transcendent knowledge of the game and scope of experience, that had put the crew together. Leslie is embracing the role, noting the physicality of the game and once maintaining neutrality during foul calls. But evidently, that hasn’t been enough.

While she settles in, the new league has been making strides of its own.

Unrivaled makes waves, breaking records without a star player

Unrivaled has made a strong debut in the world of women’s sports, bringing something fresh and exciting to the table. The league’s approach is truly admirable, from the shift to a 3-on-3 format to its efforts for fairer salaries. This new initiative is all about empowering women’s sports, and so far, it’s more than lived up to the hype.

TNT Sports reported that the launch of Unrivaled set new viewership records, including being the most-watched women’s basketball game on TNT, the most-watched game on Sports on Max, and reaching 31 million views on Bleacher Report.

Though the league had notably made attempts to pursue Caitlin Clark and expressed interest in being a part of the change she has been bringing about, it has fared rather well without her. For president Alex Bazzell, though, it is a good number so far. He isn’t aiming for the records WNBA broke; output and quality is all he cares. Lisa Leslie’s increased involvement, helping players grow their game, could be a contributing factor there. Remains to be seen what the legend brings.