Unrivaled’s groundbreaking 1v1 tournament was a bold departure from traditional play where players showcase their individual skill, strategy, and creativity. Unlike standard basketball leagues that emphasize team dynamics, Unrivaled puts the spotlight on individual matchups, where every possession is a test of pure talent and competitiveness.
Designed to determine the best one-on-one player in the world, the 1v1 tournament featured Aaliyah Edwards and Unrivaled co-founder, Napheesa Collier. With $200,000 on the line, Collier delivered a statement performance, shutting out Edwards 8-0 to claim the title. The tournament not only showcased elite one-on-one competition, but also highlighted the financial impact, cultural shift, and player-driven VISion behind Unrivaled, setting the stage for a transformative era in women’s basketball.
Prize Money and Player Investment
The tournament featured a $300,000 prize pool, rewarding not only the top finishers but also their teammates. Collier earned $200,000, and every player on her team, the Lunar Owls, received an additional $10,000. Runner-up Aaliyah Edwards took home $50,000, while semifinalists Arike Ogunbowale and Azurá Stevens each received $25,000.
For Collier, the financial impact of Unrivaled was immediate and striking. "I basically made my entire WNBA salary in 30 minutes," she said in a post-tournament interview. But beyond the money, Unrivaled is paving the way for new opportunities in women’s sports.
”We’re trying to change the culture of women's basketball...playing pickup in your backyard, at the park—just trying to start that on the women's side a little bit more. So even bigger than the money, we're trying to change that part of the women's sport," Collier explained.
“I think we're just trying to change what it means to be a woman athlete.”
A League Built for Women, By Women
The VISion behind Unrivaled was led by Collier and Breanna Stewart, two WNBA stars determined to create more opportunities for women’s basketball players. Their goal was to build a league that doesn’t try to mimic the NBA, but instead celebrates the unique artistry and competitiveness of women’s basketball. "It's the first time that a lot of us have done this[1v1 tournament]. Again, this is something we're trying to change on our side, but we're not used to doing it," Collier said. "But it's a lot of money, and they definitely made us work for it."
Unrivaled is redefining what women athletes can expect to earn. This tournament alone not only put six figures directly into players' pockets, but also proved that women's sports can generate high-stakes competition and financial rewards at levels rarely seen before. By offering prize money that rivals, or even surpasses, some professional salaries, Unrivaled is setting a new standard. The league isn’t just changing the game on the court: It’s reshaping the financial future of women’s basketball, proving that investment in women's sports isn’t just necessary – it’s profitable.
The Key Takeaway from the 1v1 Tournament
With its 1v1 format and innovative competition structure, Unrivaled is just getting started. Collier sees it as a movement, not just a league. "I think we're just trying to change what it means to be a woman athlete," she said. Unrivaled is building something completely new that women's sports hasn't seen before.
The league is proving that women's basketball can be just as entertaining, profitable, and respected as any other sport. It’s creating a space where women athletes get the space to demonstrate their talent and get the recognition, financial opportunities, and competitive platforms they deserve without conforming to traditional models built for men’s sports.
Through Unrivaled, Collier isn’t just winning games – she’s changing the game. By placing women at the center of innovation and investment, the league is proving that success in women’s sports doesn’t come from imitation, but from reimagination. And with the 1v1 tournament leading the charge, Unrivaled is setting the stage for a new era in women’s basketball – one where the competition is fierce, the stakes are high, and the players finally get the spotlight they deserve.
