A bold new wave in sports business is materializing through Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 women’s basketball league founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. In a remarkable Series B funding round led by Bessemer Venture Partners, the league achieved a $340 million valuation, drawing investments from high-profile backers such as Serena Ventures, Trae Young, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Alex Morgan’s Trybe Ventures. This milestone reflects both deep industry expertise and a growing recognition of commercial potential within women’s sports.
Unrivaled’s business model is purpose-built for financial sustainability and competitive impact. The league offers elite female athletes offseason opportunities with meaningful salary and equity stakes—an expert-endorsed model for athlete empowerment. Their broadcast debut on TNT and truTV drew an average of 221,000 viewers, while postseason games in Miami sold out completely. This success underscores the authoritative value investors now place on women’s sports, further validating the league’s strategic leadership.
For sports business professionals, Unrivaled’s rise exemplifies how targeted investment, media exposure, and athlete-centric governance can drive growth and profitability. Its model provides a blueprint for sustainable expansion in women’s sports—anchored by credibility, innovation, and authoritative execution. As the league prepares for its second season and venue upgrades, it signifies a transformative moment in the evolving sports industry landscape.
