Former executives of ESPN and Turner, John Skipper and David Levy, have formed a partnership to bring a new basketball league to television networks and streaming services. Unrivaled, a women’s three-on-three basketball league co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, is scheduled to debut in January 2025. Skipper and Levy will lead the efforts to secure media rights and sponsorship deals for the league.
The announcement of Unrivaled’s launch has elicited widespread interest and support from notable investors, including U.S. soccer stars Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, NBA legends Carmelo Anthony and Steve Nash, LPGA champion Michelle Wie West, former Warner Bros. chief Ann Sarnoff, entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk, and actor and veteran investor Ashton Kutcher, among others.
Skipper and Levy are confident that Unrivaled will generate significant interest from TV networks and streaming services, especially given the remarkable growth in viewership and ratings for women’s sports observed in the past year. Notably, the NCAA women’s basketball tournament achieved record-breaking ratings, which has translated to the WNBA. The surge in interest in women’s sports has surpassed the expectations of the Unrivaled team, positioning the league for success.
Furthermore, Unrivaled aims to capitalize on the expanding market for women’s sports advertising. Prominent advertising agencies, such as GroupM, have indicated their intention to double their ad spending in this category. This, combined with Unrivaled’s fast-paced, one-hour games and the promise of the “highest average salary in professional women’s sports leagues,” as well as equity for all participating players, places Unrivaled in a strong position to attract top talent and secure media partners and advertisers.
Skipper and Levy are optimistic that Unrivaled will emerge as a premier platform for women’s basketball, offering a valuable opportunity for athletes and stakeholders in the women’s sports industry. The league’s distinctive format and commitment to equity for all players are poised to distinguish it as it prepares for its highly-anticipated launch in 2025.
In Skipper’s words, “This is literally a league of their own.” Unrivaled’s innovative approach and dedication to promoting women’s sports are positioning it as a game-changer in the sports industry, with the potential to create lasting impact and opportunities for women in basketball. This league is certain to attract attention as it paves the way for the future of women’s sports.