Get ready to have your mind blown, Seattle, because the 3-on-3 basketball league, Unrivaled, just pulled off a financial move that’s got the entire women’s hoops world buzzing. The league announced a new funding round that raked in over $100 million, rocketing its valuation to an absolutely massive $650 million. That’s nearly double its $340 million valuation from just last year, and it sets a wild new benchmark for the sport.
The Money Talks: Who’s Backing This Ascent?
This isn’t just a small-time operation; Unrivaled is making serious waves thanks to some big names on and off the court. Co-founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, this league is built by the players, for the players. And now, they’ve got some heavy hitters in their corner, with Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony, Washington Wizards star Trae Young, and legendary UConn coach Geno Auriemma all jumping in as investors in this latest round. Alex Bazzell, Unrivaled president, nailed it when he told Front Office Sports that this is a “testament to how quickly the space is evolving and growing, but also to the incredible foundation that we’ve built.” You can’t argue with those numbers.
Emerald City Stakes: Where Does the Storm Stand?
Here’s where it gets interesting for us here in the Emerald City. Unrivaled’s $650 million valuation is so massive that only *one* WNBA team, the Golden State Valkyries at $1 billion, is currently valued higher. Think about that for a second. Our very own Seattle Storm, a cornerstone of the WNBA, is valued at $450 million. That’s a huge gap and shows just how much potential investors see in this new league. Breanna Stewart, one of Unrivaled’s co-founders, put it best: “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.” And she’s not kidding. The players are still the largest shareholder group, owning over 30% of the league. Their equity pool? It’s now worth nearly $200 million, a staggering 550% increase since the league started! That’s players making money in their sleep and during the offseason, all while owning a piece of the pie.
Fan Frenzy and What’s Next
So, what’s driving all this? While the league’s television ratings dipped last season, the fan engagement in person was off the charts. Ticket and merchandise sales absolutely soared, proving that fans are hungry for this action. Unrivaled took the show on the road, selling out stops in Philadelphia and Brooklyn, with the latter even hosting the playoff semifinals. It’s clear people want to experience this game live! The league hasn’t dropped all the details yet for the 2027 season, which kicks off in January, but Bazzell told ESPN there are big plans for more stops. Get ready, Seattle, because Unrivaled is growing fast, and it’s changing the landscape of women’s basketball in a hurry.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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