Unrivaled's impact: Three ways Unrivaled benefitted WNBA Stars

With the inaugural season Unrivaled concluding with the Rose BC winning the league championship and Napheesa Collier going on to claim the league’s one-on-one tournament title, the newly founded league gave many players more purpose and stability in many ways in their careers.

The league was founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, with a mission in mind to create a space where women athletes are uplifted and offered new opportunities.

Not only did Unrivaled showcase individual players and their talent but, helped raise the profile of women’s basketball in the United States.

In prior years, WNBA players had been competing overseas in international basketball leagues during the offseason. Taking them away from their families for months at a time.

Now that the season has ended, here are three ways that Unrivaled benefitted WNBA stars.

1. Earnings

In the championship game, Las Vegas Aces star Chelsea Gray scored 18 points and dished out six assists. Aside from winning MVP of the Unrivaled finals, Gray and her teammates earned 50,000 each.

According to Sports Business Journal, Unrivaled players averaged a salary of $250,000, with every player securing six-figure pay and equity in the league.

This is a huge contrast to their WNBA salaries.

2. Building connections in the US

Unrivaled gave players the ability to form relationships with other players instead of playing overseas for a few months before the WNBA season starts.

3. Increased player exposure

Unrivaled’s 3-on-3 format, and fast paced play highlighted the players’ numerous talents. It always kept the attention of most fans-it was ideal for attention-challenged viewers.

It is amazing to see Unrivaled’s impact in such a short span of time. Perhaps the up and coming league will challenge the more established WNBA to step up their operation to provide more stability and visibility for the players in all markets, not just the big ones.