When Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart launched Unrivaled, they set out to redefine women’s sports with a high-intensity league designed to keep WNBA players in the U.S. during the offseason. The league’s debut was promising, with the first 1-on-1 finals featuring Collier and Aliyah Edwards drawing over 200,000 live viewers—numbers that rivaled mid-tier NBA games. However, sustaining that momentum has proven challenging. And where is it heading?

Viewership has started to slip, with some games now struggling to reach half their initial audience. The competition is intense—between the NBA, college basketball, and a sea of streaming content, sports fans have endless options. Additionally, media coverage remains a hurdle. Women’s basketball has made strides, and a chunk of it lies with the WNBA, but multiple leagues lead to consistent visibility. Without prime-time broadcasts and strong marketing, casual fans may forget Unrivaled exists. “The first event had great numbers, but keeping that interest is the real battle,” Collier admitted.

In the show, Rachel Annamarie DeMita, the host herself, said, “It didn’t catch my attention in the way that I hoped it would.” “That’s unfortunate that it hasn’t caught my attention because I am a fan of women’s basketball.” Her comments share the plight of Unrivaled as it seemed to be on the right trajectory, but now it’s in dire straits.

Raising questions on their capability to hold on to their initial numbers, the anchor said, “Something that I do want to point out is even though the viewership on television isn’t great. I think that we can just be honest there and say those are not great numbers for a brand new league and something will have to change. They’ll have to figure out how to get more viewers to be tuning in.” But there was some hope. The social media.

Can Unrivaled sustain the dip?

 To regain momentum, Unrivaled is focusing on several key strategies. The league is experimenting with fresh player matchups to maximize excitement and engagement. Fans love star power, and Unrivaled is leaning into marquee games featuring WNBA household names. Finally, the league is working on expanding its digital footprint. In today’s world, social media is a game-changer, and Unrivaled is utilizing interactive content, influencer collaborations, and behind-the-scenes coverage to remain relevant beyond just game nights.

One of the league’s biggest assets is the backing of NBA superstar Stephen Curry. A strong advocate for women’s basketball, Curry has promoted Unrivaled on social media, attended games, and used his platform to generate buzz. His endorsement is invaluable, but even Curry’s star power can’t carry the league alone. Organic fan engagement, consistent programming, and financial backing are crucial to long-term success. History has shown that no sports league can survive on celebrity sponsorship alone—it must carve out a sustainable identity.

The stakes are high. If Napheesa Collier’s Unrivaled can capitalize on its initial excitement and execute its strategy effectively, it could become a dominant offseason force in women’s basketball. However, if it fails to maintain engagement. It risks fading into the background like so many ambitious sports ventures before it. One thing is certain: Collier and Stewart are not giving up. They’ve already disrupted the status quo, and with the right moves, Unrivaled could still change the game. The battle for attention isn’t over—it’s just beginning.