Unrivaled Provides Angel Reese Insane Scheme That Not Even Caitlin Clark & Others Receive From the WNBA
It’s a changing world in women’s basketball. A new league is attracting attention and giving athletes unheard-of chances to play professionally. It is the beginning of a transformative chapter for stars like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. Who will be recognized for their contributions and, more than that, rewarded in real ways that actually value it.
The Unrivaled Basketball is setting a new standard with payouts that rival industry norms. Angel Reese, among others, will benefit from a system where athlete’s entitlements are protected. The average salary offered by the league is $222,222, surpassing the WNBA’s regular maximum contract of $214,466 for 2025. Furthermore, every player is ensured of a six-figure earning signifying a belief in fairness and transparency.
Interestingly, this compensation model doesn’t end with salaries. The league takes an equity and revenue-sharing approach, and players get a piece of the league’s success. This strategy promises to change the way athletes think about their roles in the world of professional sports.
One thing that Unrivaled Basketball’s innovative model is unique about is its transparent revenue-sharing mechanism. Alex Bazzell emphasized this during the Good Game with Sarah Spain podcast, stating, “This isn’t a split on profits, this is a split on revenue. So like we didn’t get paid first and say that’s what’s left to give to the athletes. Before selling an Angel Resse jersey, she should 100% see the benefits of that. And right now, they are really not. You see all these Caitlin Clark jersey walking around in it. It’s a bit of a model that needs to be fixed.”
This is important because, in traditional models, profits take priority over benefits directly to players. Whereas under this approach, athletes are guaranteed to reap a direct share of the revenues generated by merchandise sales. That shifts this paradigm to help players such as Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, whose popularity has skyrocketed. Which means additional exposure and more merchandise sales. Now, players should be able to expect tangible financial rewards based on their market contributions.
This is an innovative approach, and what also comes from it is trust and loyalty to athletes. Creating a benchmark for other sports leagues to follow. While all games in the inaugural season will remain in Miami, the league is exploring the possibility of a tour-style format for subsequent years. Potentially expanding to different U.S. cities starting in 2026.
Out of the inaugural season, Unrivaled has built the foundation for future expansion. The league has already exceeded its financial projections, allowing for a roster expansion from 30 to 36 players. This growth, supported by a successful Series A funding round that raised an additional $28 million, brings the total capital to $35 million. The partnerships with Under Armour and Wilson, along with the media rights agreement with TNT Sports, guarantee a sound financial basis for future development.
via Imago
Indiana Fever collegiate standout and WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark will not be part of the new Unrivaled 3-on-3 basketball league starting on January 17, 2025, in Miami. After extensive recruitment by the league from its co-founders Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, who offered her over $1 million for a short season, Clark has opted out to rest and take care of her personal obligations.
