When Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart launched Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 women’s basketball league, in 2023, the concept was bold, groundbreaking, and met with skepticism. But what started as an ambitious idea is now gaining traction—and some of the biggest names in sports and business are backing it.
Turning ‘no’ into momentum
Collier, a WNBA star and co-founder of Unrivaled, has been candid about the challenges she faced early on. While the league offers an unprecedented business model—including the highest salaries in women’s sports and equity stakes for participating players—convincing investors wasn’t easy.
“You think, ‘Oh, I’m an athlete, why wouldn’t you want to do this?’” Collier said. “The business plan was rock solid, we had the players, we had an amazing idea—but startups are hard. People want a sure thing, and this wasn’t that. It was new. It had never been done before.”
Despite the initial roadblocks, Collier and Stewart stayed persistent, securing early buy-in from players willing to take a leap of faith. That trust paved the way for more signings, more visibility, and ultimately, more investors.
Major athletes and investors buy in
Today, Unrivaled has grown into a thriving league with 36 players across six teams, featuring top-tier talent like:
🏀 Allisha Gray – Lunar Owls BC
🏀 Aliyah Boston – Vinyl BC
🏀 Brittney Griner – Phantom BC
🏀 Kate Martin – Laces BC
Beyond building a roster stacked with stars, Unrivaled has attracted elite investors from across the sports world, including:
🌟 Michael Phelps – Olympic gold medalist, swimming legend
🌟 Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee Bucks star
🌟 Coco Gauff – Tennis champion
Now, the league has added another powerhouse name to its growing list of supporters: Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry.
Stephen Curry joins Unrivaled as an investor
Curry, widely regarded as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, sees Unrivaled as more than just a league—it’s a movement.
“I am incredibly proud to be joining the Unrivaled family as the league continues to set a new standard for how women’s professional sports should operate—empowering athletes and ensuring they have a real stake in their own success,” Curry said in a statement.
“Unrivaled is not just innovating the way we play basketball, but also how we value and invest in the athletes who drive the game forward.”
A multimillion-dollar game changer
Since its inception, Unrivaled has secured $35 million in funding, including a $28 million Series A round in December 2024. The league has also signed major sponsorship deals, including a partnership with Samsung as its official technology partner.
For Collier, the success of Unrivaled sends a clear message: women’s sports aren’t just worth supporting—they’re a smart investment.
“Investing in women’s sports is not charity. This is a profitable, equitable opportunity,” Collier said. “I think people see the value in that.”
With top-tier talent, influential investors, and major corporate partners, Unrivaled is shaping the future of women’s basketball—and proving that the game is just getting started.