The new 3-on-3 women’s basketball league, Unrivaled, has shown promising beginnings in its inaugural season, with commissioner Micky Lawler reporting that the league “almost broke even” during its first year. In 2025 alone, the league generated more than $27 million in revenue, bolstered significantly by a lucrative media deal with TNT, an impressive roster of corporate sponsors, and approximately $1.5 million from merchandise sales.
Lawler expressed optimism about the league’s future, indicating that it could turn a profit as early as the next year. The league’s expenses included around $7 million dedicated to player salaries, with the 36 players across six teams averaging about $200,000 each. The audience engagement has also been noteworthy, with average viewership reaching 221,000, peaking at 377,000 for a game between the Lunar Owls and Mist BC. The championship match saw Rose BC triumph over Vinyl BC, drawing 364,000 viewers.
The league hosted its games in an 850-capacity arena located at its Miami headquarters. Plans for growth include expanding spectator seating and the possibility of hosting games in additional cities, which could further enhance revenue streams.
This new league’s success echoes sentiments from various sports initiatives promoting diversity and inclusion in athletics, paralleling the recent growth seen in tournaments like the Vodafone Fiji Cup. The Fiji Cup has fostered a resurgence of basketball in Fiji, showcasing local talent and building community spirit through affordable access to games.
Overall, the landscape for women’s basketball appears to be brightening significantly, with both Unrivaled and established competitions like the Fiji Cup demonstrating potential for growth and community engagement. The combination of strong viewership and strategic expansion plans signals a hopeful future for women’s sports at large.
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