Unrivaled confirms $222K average salary thanks to extensive VC, partner investment

The GIST: In a recent SB Nation interview, Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell confirmed the new 3v3 pro women’s basketball league boasts a salary pool exceeding $8M. That’s a $242K average salary for the league’s 33 players (and $222K if all 36 spots are filled), exceeding the WNBA’s current $214K max salary. This doesn’t consider player equity or revenue sharing, which is worth millions.

• In addition to investments from athlete entrepreneurs, venture capital firms, and a major assist from Horizon Sports & Experiences, Unrivaled has inked key partnerships that make such lucrative player payouts possible. Let’s check in.

🤝 Ally as the first and founding partner. When the league launched in July, Ally Financial was announced as its first and founding partner. While the exact investment amount remains unknown, Ally is a jersey patch sponsor for all six teams — a placement that typically costs several million in the WNBA. Ally is also appearing on in-arena signage and digital content spots.

📺 TNT Sports will exclusively broadcast games. In October, the league announced a multiyear deal with TNT to broadcast games exclusively on the Warner Bros. Discovery network and its Max streaming platform. The network will broadcast more than 45 regular-season games across its platforms. TNT Sports also invested an “undisclosed amount” directly into the league.

👟 Under Armour will exclusively outfit the league. Last week, Under Armour became Unrivaled’s official and exclusive uniform partner and performance outfitter. Players, coaches, and staff will receive UA swag, with players gaining access to custom products. Any Unrivaled player without an active shoe deal will get UA shoes, plus they will sell merch at Unrivaled’s Miami arena.

Zooming out: In the NBA, marketers can advertise through 1,230 total regular-season games from October through April, plus a two-month postseason. In the WNBA, however, there will be only 264 games in 2025 across its May-September season and a three-round postseason, leaving marketers with a large gap in exposure during the W’s eight-month offseason.

• That’s where domestic offseason leagues, like Unrivaled and Athletes Unlimited, can step in. Look for brands to follow a company like Ally — who has a multiyear team deal with the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces — in leveraging these leagues for expanded brand-building opportunities.