Unrivaled has received some major backing as it embarks on its third season next winter.
Unrivaled is going into its third season with some unrivaled backing.
The domestic three-on-three league co-founded by basketball superstars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart announced on Wednesday that a Series C fundraise has the league valued at $650 million as its third season approaches.
Ten Pillars Sports Fund, backed by University of California Investments, widely surpassed a goal of $100 million to further fuel Unrivaled, which has prided itself on its unique salary structure, one where each participant has a share of league equity.
“This raise is fueling the next stage of Unrivaled’s growth and expanding our impact across the women’s basketball ecosystem,” Unrivaled CEO and co-founder Alex Bazzell said in the league statement. “We’re partnering with investors who share our vision to create lasting value and greater opportunity for the best players in the world, while continuing to elevate the game for fans. Unrivaled was built by players and for players, and their ownership, leadership and ambition continue to drive the league forward and define a new model for the sport.”
Unrivaled's statement reveals several notable investors from the realm of sports and beyond. The most notable is likely longtime University of Connecticut women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma, who oversaw the collegiate games of both Collier and Stewart. Basketball Hall-of-Famer Carmelo Anthony is also among the notable investors alongside current NBA rep Trae Young and USA soccer heroine Alex Morgan.
A major milestone and historic accomplishment 👑
— Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) August 26, 2026
We're building for the future and bringing everyone along with us. Thank you to our new and returning investors! pic.twitter.com/ElsaT43htt
C You In 2027
According to British Business Bank, Series C funding "indicates the business is showing high potential and is looking to accelerate its growth into a large enterprise." The data revealed by Unrivaled hints at a certain staying power despite facing potential competition from a WNBA season set to play 50 games next year.
If anything, Unrivaled is in a position to take larger splashes as it prepares to not only embark on a third season that inches a tad closer to the WNBA's campaign but will also face competition from Project B. Last season's Unrivaled tour hinted at strong success in the realm of live event work.
Despite a drop-off in television ratings, Unrivaled played to five-figure sellout crowds in Philadelphia and Brooklyn, the latter hosting the semifinal playoff round. Those two events broke out of the league's Miami hub and were staged in the heat of WNBA collective bargaining agreement discussions, one that would be resolved shortly after an MVP effort from Stewart guided Mist BC to the 2026 title.
Wednesday's data drop hinted that the league would remain stationed at eight teams as more tours were prepared. The league grew from six to eight squads after year one, which was secured by a Rose BC effort led by Chelsea Gray.
“From the beginning, our goal has been to raise the standard for what players and fans should expect from women’s basketball,” Collier said. “This investment allows Unrivaled to keep pushing that standard higher, creating the best possible environment for players to compete and thrive, while making the experience bigger and better for the fans who continue to show up for women's basketball.”
Returns on Investment
The league appears to hope that continuity will pave the way to success in its future outputs.
The first batch of returnees was revealed on Thursday, with Gray, Shakira Austin, Paige Bueckers, Veronica Burton, Natasha Cloud, Dearica Hamby, Marina Mabrey, Maddy Siegrist, Skylar Diggins, and Courtney Williams set to rejoin the tour. Further returnees will be revealed throughout the weekend, leading into Sunday's two-week WNBA pause for the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Potential WNBA Rookie of the Year/MVP sweeper Olivia Miles is among the newcomers along with All-Star breakout Jessica Shepard and another freshman sensation in Flau'jae Johnson. The list of newcomers is rounded by Bridget Carleton, Marine Johannes, Kayla McBride, Kayla Thornton, and Gabby Williams.
No matter what transpires on the road ahead, one can't argue that the league doesn't have the proper resources, especially so early into its run.
“This raise reflects the confidence investors have in what we set out to build at Unrivaled: a league where the best players in the world have a real stake in the value they create,” Stewart added. “Moving forward, this investment gives us even more resources to support our players, elevate the experience for fans, and grow a league that is shaping the future of women’s basketball.”
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
