The new 3×3 women’s basketball league is making waves ahead of its inaugural season. Unrivaled is set to kick off at a custom-built $1.5 million facility in Miamind Alex Bazzel recently gave us a behind-the-scenes look at this ambitious project. Let’s dive into what he shared about the 850-seater venue.
“We’ve built a million and a half dollar extension to ensure we had more space for the players to recover and strength train and to have the space they needed to really maximize their off season,” Bazzel explained during a podcast appearance. This isn’t your ordinary basketball facility—Unrivaled has gone all out to prioritize player welfare, a cornerstone of its philosophy.
And this place is stacked. The venue includes state-of-the-art training facilities, a childcare room for players balancing basketball and family, a sleek fan zone, dedicated office spaces, and even a content creation hub where players can build their brands. They’ve also added a mobile medical unit to handle injuries and emergencies—because, let’s be real, player health is non-negotiable.
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The venue might have a modest 850-seat capacity, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for with elite player amenities. Bazzel explained how they’re thinking big picture, saying, “We can’t cut corners when it comes to the player experience because we want them to leave here and become part of that routine where they’re like, ‘Oh my God, every off-season I have to be here.’
They’ve even partnered with a prominent Miami hospital to ensure everything from game-day healthcare to recovery is covered, added Bazzel, talking about the healthcare facilities. And it’s not just about the players. The location is a win for logistics too. Situated less than seven miles from Miami International Airport, the venue makes it easy for players, staff, and partners to come and go without a hitch.
Unrivaled is definitely shaking things up in women’s basketball, blending innovation with practicality. Let’s dive into what else makes this league such a game-changer.
Unrivaled: A new league in a new year
WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier’s brainchild, the Unrivaled League kicks off on January 17. The initial number of 30 players has now increased to 36. Its six teams: Laces, Mist, Rose, Lunar Owls, Phantom, and Vinyl, will be playing 28-minute games at the 850-seat Miami venue.
But here’s the twist: ticket sales aren’t the main focus. Instead, the league is leaning into its media rights deal with TNT Sports. That’s why they’ve built the venue to be a content powerhouse, complete with areas designed specifically for filming and streaming. Mediapro North America—the production company behind Copa América and LaLiga—will handle audiovisual production, ensuring Unrivaled delivers a top-tier broadcast experience.
According to Alex Bazzel, the company described the venture as a step toward redefining women’s basketball. “We are excited to partner with Mediapro North America and usher in a new era of women’s basketball, complemented by an unparalleled player and fan experience,” he said in a statement.
Turning heads, on and off the court
Speaking of redefining things, Unrivaled is already catching attention with its bold moves. Just last week, Unrivaled unveiled its six club jerseys designed by Under Armour—and they are fire! Leading the charge was Rose BC, featuring an all-star lineup of Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper, Angel Reese, Brittney Sykes, Azurá Stevens, and Lexie Hull, who brought the heat with their official photoshoot.
Go ahead and update that wallpaper 🌹@kahleahcopper pic.twitter.com/QAg5FQMZ8l
— Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) January 4, 2025
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We are not done. The 3×3 league continues to stack its partnerships, adding Sephora as the league’s exclusive beauty partner. Yup, you heard that right—the glam game is strong! Sephora will be outfitting the league’s brand-new glam room at the Miami facility, ensuring players stay camera ready.
Oh, and there’s more—Opill, the first over-the-counter contraceptive pill, has also joined the roster of league partners. Unrivaled is clearly leveling up on and off the court, and we’re here for it! But Unrivaled isn’t just turning heads on the court—it’s attracting major star power off it too. The league announced tennis superstar Coco Gauff as its latest investor. (via Unrivaled.basketball)
“I’m thrilled to be joining Unrivaled as an investor,” said Gauff. “Basketball is one of my favorite sports, and the chance to support a league that’s redefining the game is exciting. I look forward to being part of this movement and continuing to help elevate women’s sports to new heights.”
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And she’s not the only one getting behind the movement. The league has already secured investments from a slew of notable names, including Alex Morgan, Carmelo Anthony, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Michael Phelps, and Dawn Staley. With this kind of backing, Unrivaled is building more than just a league—it’s creating a cultural movement.
We are looking at a mix of player-focused infrastructure with strategic planning. Unrivaled offers a fresh approach to women’s basketball, a sport with increasing popularity, while staying grounded in practicality.
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