Unrivaled has concluded its third week of action, starting off strong and proving to be more than a revamped take on the sport. The 3-on-3 women’s basketball league is a revolution, blending the empowerment of individual players, advocacy for more VISibility, and a level of elite athleticism. Last week, the Phantom played the Rose, reigning victorious in 75-63 fashion. Brittney Griner helped to catalyze the win, not only with her high skill level, but also by reminding the public what this revolution of women’s basketball means.
Griner is a symbol of resilience and redemption. After almost a year of life-altering detainment in a Russian prison, her purpose and forceful return to the women’s basketball scene is inspiring and embodies the spirit of the new era Unrivaled is bringing to women’s basketball. Serving as the centerpiece of the Phantom lineup, Griner helped lift the team to victory, reminding the world of her strength and bringing the intersection of valued individual growth, personality, and elite skill together.
Griner’s Advocacy
The embodiment of Griner’s advocacy work has centered around mental health and knowing personal limits. Her book, “Coming Home,” is a testament to this, and is a raw recollection of her time spent detained. Her vulnerability and transparency are an inspiring tale of bravery and exemplify the role model she is as a professional athlete. Griner has been a big advocate for mental health counseling, saying, "I think more people should do it. It’s a resource that is there for us. I feel like everyone should have someone to talk to.”
Her personal narrative and transparency with the world is mirrored and aided by Unrivaled and its mission. The individual approach and empowerment of players is hard to find in other leagues, and perfectly aligns with Griner and her mission. She reminds us that athletes shouldn’t just be seen for their skill, but for our humanity as well.
The Impact Of Unrivaled
Griner’s impact extends far beyond a scoreboard, and Unrivaled is helping to uplift the outreach and VISibility of individual stories and the preservation of character within a team setting. Griner’s input is significant because she is known as a mental health advocate and for her work and reflection within women’s sports. According to Griner, "[Unrivaled] is bringing something new to women's basketball. They're trying to give us a different look, a different feel. We can bring everybody together in one spot. They're really pouring in a lot.”
“[Unrivaled] is bringing something new to women's basketball. They're trying to give us a different look, a different feel. We can bring everybody together in one spot. They're really pouring in a lot.”
Unrivaled is doing just this as it pushes towards a turning point in women’s sports, giving large financial returns and unique exposure. Alex Bazzell, the President of Unrivaled, emphasized that the salary pool is over $8 million, meaning that the salary average for players would be over $200,000. The key piece here is that players will also get equity in the league, making it a long-lasting investment with high returns. The WNBA maxes out salaries around $250,000, so Unrivaled salaries are game-changing.
The impact of Unrivaled is clear. “I think we are going to continue to be kind of the trendsetters,” Bazzel said in regards to salaries. “And I think you’re going to see it as well in the WNBA. Everyone wants these players to make more. I think we’re not here to be kind of a blip in history…I think we want to be here long term.”
Griner Exemplifies the Mission
Bazzell explored more of the mission of the league in its partnership announcement with Under Armour. "Unrivaled is all about challenging the status quo…it’s a commitment to empowering our athletes and coaching staff,” he said. As Griner helped lead her team through the end of week three for the Phantom, she was joined by other teammates who similarly shared their own stories of resilience and strength.
Unrivaled makes space for these moments, providing new pathways for exposure and professional advancement. This vulnerability and close player-audience experience is going to challenge the status quo and push growth forward in women’s basketball, just as Griner does with her openness and unique approach to mental health in sport.
Unrivaled is not only a new league, but a pivotal platform amplifying role models such as Griner, giving women athletes a platform and an inclusive future for the sport. The Phantom’s win was not only a narrative of diverse skills coming together, but it’s also an ode to athletes like Griner. The future of Unrivaled may be unknown, but what we do know is that it's an opportunity unlike anything else we've seen before, especially for players who have deserved far more recognition throughout their careers.
