Get ready to be impressed! Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart’s groundbreaking 3-on-3 women’s basketball league, Unrivaled, is making serious waves. Fresh off its promising inaugural season, the league has just secured a massive valuation of $340 million, thanks to a new influx of celebrity funding. This incredible figure highlights the growing momentum and excitement surrounding women’s sports.
Star Power Fuels Unrivaled’s Growth
The latest Series B investment round, which was oversubscribed and led by Bessemer Venture Partners, saw participation from some major names. Serena Williams’ venture capital firm, Serena Ventures, has joined the ranks, alongside Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young and Orlando Magic brothers Franz and Moritz Wagner. University of Maryland president Darryll J. Pines and his wife Sylvia, along with prominent sports executive Sam Rapoport, also contributed. Existing investors like Alex Morgan’s Trybe Ventures and Warner Bros. Discovery are doubling down on their support.
Building on Success: Funding Milestones
This latest funding round follows significant previous investments. Unrivaled secured over $28 million in Series A funding last December and an additional $7 million during its seed round back in May 2024. The league’s impressive valuation is a testament to its strong performance, averaging over 220,000 viewers during its first season.
It’s not just athletes and venture capitalists getting in on the action. A star-studded list of athletes and personalities invested before the first season, including NBA stars Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Carmelo Anthony, legendary coaches Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley, tennis star Coco Gauff, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, tennis icon Billie Jean King, and comedian Wanda Sykes.
An Athlete-Driven Model Thriving
Unrivaled was founded in 2023 by WNBA stars Collier and Stewart with a clear mission: to provide top players with another high-level playing option in the U.S. during the offseason, while also supplementing their WNBA incomes. The league debuted in January, offering the highest average salaries in women’s professional sports history, and importantly, players received equity stakes in the league itself. This athlete-driven model is clearly proving its potential for success at the highest levels of business.
The league wrapped its eight-week season with Angel Reese’s team taking home the first championship. Throughout the season, Unrivaled showcased stars like Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese and Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner, drawing an average of 221,000 viewers on TNT and truTV. Every game played at their Miami arena during the regular season and postseason was sold out.
With such strong momentum and continued investment, Unrivaled is poised for even greater success. The league’s second season is set to tip off in January 2026, promising more thrilling basketball and continued growth.
What are your thoughts on the rise of Unrivaled and the increasing investment in women’s sports? Share your opinions in the comments!
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