• The new Unrivaled 3-on-3 women's basketball league officially debuted with WNBA stars on opening night.
• Co-founders Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier are committed to providing better financial opportunities for players.
• Players, including Brittney Griner, are enjoying the league's competitive nature while staying close to home.
• The league offers the highest average salary for any professional women's sports league, with players making over $100,000.
• Fans can watch games primarily on TNT and TruTV until March 17.

The new Unrivaled 3-on-3 women's basketball league officially launched on Friday, featuring prominent WNBA stars like Brittney Griner and co-founders Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. This league represents a significant development in women’s basketball, allowing athletes to compete and earn during the WNBA offseason without traveling overseas. Stewart reflected on the shift away from foreign leagues, emphasizing, “You play WNBA. You come to Unrivaled and we're gonna take care of you” (CBS News).

Unrivaled features a roster of 36 top WNBA players and aims to provide a welcoming environment with competitive salaries—nearly all players are making more than $100,000, making it the highest-paid league for women's professional sports. There is over $8 million allocated for player salaries, in addition to equity stakes in the league, a critical factor in attracting female athletes (AP News).

The league's format consists of teams playing on a shorter court, with three seven-minute quarters and a winning score format in the fourth quarter, which adds to the dynamic play style. The adjustment in court dimensions and timing aims to enhance the fast-paced nature of the game, with plans to showcase thrilling gameplay and skill during each match. As stated by Unrivaled President Alex Bazzell, “Every game, we will have a game-winning shot,” designed to maintain high-stakes excitement throughout the play. Players will also engage in various promotional activities, like the upcoming 1-on-1 tournament that promises substantial prizes for winners (AP News).

The involvement of Griner and fellow athletes has created a burgeoning excitement, particularly as they strive to refine their skills and showcase their talent closer to home. “This is going to help me stay fresh, knocking all the dust off,” Griner mentioned, underlining the importance of maintaining competitive readiness for when the WNBA season resumes (AP News).

As the league progresses, fans can follow Unrivaled’s schedule primarily on TNT and TruTV on selected nights through March 17. The Unrivaled league is set to enrich the landscape of women’s basketball and provide female athletes with opportunities that have previously been less accessible. To view the games, check the league’s broadcasting details and keep an eye on the unfolding events in this exciting new league.