Napheesa Collier reveals the real reason she and Breanna Stewart built Unrivaled

Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart founded Unrivaled in 2023, with the league debuting during the 2025 WNBA off-season. Unrivaled is a 3-on-3, player-owned basketball league that allows the sport's top stars to earn real money at home, without the need to travel internationally. By offering equity stakes to its players, Unrivaled provides them with a genuine stake in the business while prioritizing their well-being, health, and family time.

Collier did not shy away from pointing out the issues within the existing WNBA framework. She and Stewart, both mothers at the time, observed the league's shortcomings firsthand. Players were frequently flying overseas just days after the WNBA season concluded, leading to burnout, increased injuries, and limited family time. Collier stated during an interview with Meg Culmo, "Stewie and I had been in the league for a while.

We both had kids at that time, and you just see the holes that are in it. You know, people were going overseas like 10 days after the W season, playing year-round, getting a lot of injuries from that. You're not with your family. And we talked a little bit about branding is so huge now for women's athletes." The upcoming Unrivaled season is set to begin in January and conclude in March, featuring co-founders Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier alongside other prominent players like Paige Bueckers, Satou Sabally, Kelsey Plum, Aliyah Boston, Angel Reese, and Rhyne Howard.