Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, both vice presidents for the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA), are also co-founders of Unrivaled, a professional basketball league. This dual role raised concerns for some about a potential conflict of interest during the WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations. However, neither Collier, Stewart, nor Unrivaled leadership have ever signaled any intention of competing against or undermining the WNBA. Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell reinforced this position during an interview on We Need To Talk.
“We want the WNBA CBA to get done,”
Bazzell said to host Alicia Jay.
“The WNBA running and operating, continuously growing, is great marketing exposure for our league because a lot of the top players that play there, play with us.”
He explained that Unrivaled’s goal is to complement the WNBA by filling a gap in the offseason rather than operating year-round.
“We benefit from [the WNBA] competing and playing and continuing to grow. We’ve always seen ourselves as someone who’s complementary in that way because we don’t need to compete to build a successful business.”
How Unrivaled and the WNBA Support Each Other’s Growth
Unrivaled’s success is closely tied to the WNBA, as fans are drawn to players chiefly for their accomplishments within the league. Unrivaled leverages this by offering basketball enthusiasts a chance to follow the same athletes during the WNBA’s offseason, watching them compete in a different style of play. This opportunity is unique compared to watching players overseas in Europe, Australia, or China, as Unrivaled gathers many top talents in a single location with strong social media engagement that provides access to players’ off-court interactions.
The league also plays a key role in generating excitement for the upcoming WNBA season. Unrivaled’s January-to-March schedule usually wraps up just as anticipation builds for the WNBA Draft, sustaining fan interest until the regular season begins.
In addition to entertainment, Unrivaled offers a platform for player development. Last year, Angel Reese notably improved her finishing skills, and Azurá Stevens returned to the WNBA as a serious contender for the Most Improved Player award. The current season even includes a development pool designed to help younger players sharpen their abilities and arrive better prepared for the WNBA season.
Unrivaled’s Role in Player Leverage During WNBA Negotiations
Unrivaled also contributes significantly to the players’ financial stability and bargaining power in CBA negotiations. The earnings some players secure through Unrivaled enable them to maintain firm demands and consider options like strikes during discussions with the WNBA, giving them leverage that might otherwise be unavailable.
Outlook on the WNBA and Unrivaled Partnership
The continued cooperation between Unrivaled and the WNBA presents a nuanced relationship marked by shared interest and mutual benefit. While some tensions and uncertainties remain amid negotiations, both organizations appear invested in fostering growth and opportunities for players. Fans can look forward to enhanced offseason content and player development, alongside the evolving success of the WNBA’s primary season.
