If you can't get enough hoops, a new league called Unrivaled tips off January 17 with some of the top talent in the women’s game. They will be wearing some of the freshest threads in the game, too.
Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier founded the three-on-three basketball league in 2023. Two years later, veterans and rising stars alike have flocked to play against each other — 36 of them to be exact. Fans can watch Stewie and Collier, Sabrina Ionescu, Angel Reese, DiJonai Carrington, Kahleah Copper, Jordin Canada, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Courtney Vandersloot, Arike Ogunbowale and Brittney Griner compete. WNBA hall of famer Teresa Weatherspoon and longtime Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy are also along for the ride as head coaches.
The six teams, or "Basketball Clubs," who face off in the league's inaugural season are not city-based. All games will be played in Miami at the league's own facility, Wayfair Arena. The teams are: Rose BC, Vinyl BC, Lunar Owls BC, Laces BC, Phantom BC and Mist BC. All games will air on TNT or truTV and the season will run from mid-January to mid-March.
Earlier this month, Unrivaled unveiled their Under Armour uniforms — and the athletic company delivered. The overall design is fairly standard with a base color, accent stripes around the arms and neck, and an Ally patch on the front since the bank is the league's jersey sponsor. Even though the concept is simple, all six uniforms are sharp and have a clear team identity.
Under Armour has paved ground in women's basketball on all levels by sponsoring youth camps and serving as the official athletic wear partner for several women's college basketball programs (including Dawn Staley's South Carolina Gamecocks).
Former Notre Dame standout and current WNBA journeywoman Marina Mabrey is a member of Under Armour's roster and will play on Unrivaled's Phantom BC. She shared why the athletic company partnering with the upstart league made a lot of sense, especially since many women's basketball players often have to play overseas to supplement their WNBA income and platform.
"I'm excited about Unrivaled because we get to stay in the States and continue to build the viewership and get eyes on women's sports, with fans able to watch us throughout the whole year," she said in a statement. "WNBA players have not been able to really do that at this level, so that is a huge positive. And then having Under Armour partner with Unrivaled is just amazing. It shows that Under Armour is serious about investing in women’s basketball, and it will give the brand more exposure with WNBA and top athletes as well as their fans, allowing them to showcase everything they have to offer.”
Besides looking cool, Unrivaled promises competitive pay for its athletes. Sports Business Journal reports that the average player salary is expected to be around $250,000. In December, the league announced that it raised $35 million in investment with partners including Staley, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Michael and Nicole Phelps, Alex Morgan, Geno Auriemma and Gary Vaynerchuk. A month later, Coco Gauff joined the investment group.
Before everything officially goes down, here is a closer look at — and our grades for — Unrivaled's Under Armour jerseys:
Vinyl BC
Aliyah Boston, Jordin Canada, Arike Ogunbowale and the Vinyl will be rocking a classic burgundy and teal uniform. Definitely gives retro vibes, but does it say wow?
Grade: C
Rose BC
Angel Reese, Lexie Hull, Brittney Sykes and the Rose will be decked out in a fierce dark green with a hint of dusty rose. There's a rose in the "O" for a touch of elegance.
Grade: A-
Phantom BC
Natasha Cloud, Sabrina Ionescu, Brittney Griner and the Phantom will be balling out in a stark black and white uniform with a spooky logo. Can't go wrong with this color combo. Ask Jay Z.
Grade: B
Lunar Owls BC
League co-founder Napheesa Collier, Skylar Diggins-Smith and Courtney Williams of the Lunar Owls will don a black uniform with purple accents and a splash of gold. There's so much potential with purple, but this is one of the less interesting designs that just isn’t inspiring.
Grade: D
Laces BC
Alyssa Thomas, Jackie Young, Tiffany Hayes and the Laces will look fresh in mint green with red accents. The colors pop and the logo, literally a shoelace, is fun and clever!
Grade: A
Mist BC
League co-founder Breanna Stewart, DiJonai Carrington, Rickea Jackson and the Mist will wear a light blue uniform. The logo is clear and bold. The dark blue swirl on one leg of the shorts puts it next level. The uniform overall is a great balance of ethereal and edgy.
Grade: A+
Comments