In a recent LinkedIn post, Daniela Andrade highlights the entrepreneurial journey of WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, detailing how they co-founded Unrivaled Basketball, a professional 3-on-3 league now valued at $650 million. Andrade frames their venture not just as a sports league, but as a strategic business move to empower athletes by giving them ownership in the value they create.
From Court Rivals to Business Partners
Andrade recounts the fascinating dynamic between Collier and Stewart, who were recently opponents in a highly contested WNBA Finals. This on-court rivalry, however, set the stage for a powerful business partnership. As Daniela Andrade notes:
“The idea for Unrivaled Basketball began around the time Collier’s daughter, Mila, was born. She and her husband, basketball trainer Alex Bazzell, wondered whether a 3-on-3 league could give players another way to compete during the WNBA offseason.”
This foundational idea, Andrade explains, stemmed from a desire to address a significant challenge faced by WNBA players: the need to supplement income by playing overseas, which often meant extended time away from family and domestic opportunities.
Addressing a Systemic Gap in Women’s Sports
The core innovation of Unrivaled Basketball, as detailed by Andrade, lies in its athlete-centric ownership model. Unlike traditional sports structures, Unrivaled was designed to ensure that the players who generate the league’s value also share in its financial success and equity. This approach directly tackles the systemic issue where female athletes create substantial value but often lack proportional ownership. According to Daniela Andrade:
“Most importantly, the players became owners. Unrivaled says they remain its largest shareholder group, with their equity pool now worth close to $200 million.”
Andrade emphasizes that this model offers competitive salaries—reportedly higher than the WNBA’s maximum base salary in its inaugural season—alongside crucial support services like childcare and recovery areas, allowing players to stay in the U.S. while maximizing their earning potential and career longevity.
Demonstrable Business Success
The post underscores the tangible business achievements of Unrivaled Basketball, showcasing its rapid growth and market validation. Daniela Andrade points out the impressive figures from the league’s inaugural season:
- 11.9 million viewers
- More than 20 corporate partners
- $27 million in reported first-season revenue
The league’s momentum is further evidenced by its recent Series C funding round, which surpassed its $100 million target and valued the company at $650 million. This financial success validates the business model and the market’s belief in athlete-driven ventures. As Daniela Andrade argues:
“Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart have spent years competing against each other. But they recognized that the larger opponent was a system in which women could create enormous value without owning enough of it.”
In essence, Andrade’s report positions Collier and Stewart as visionary entrepreneurs who identified a critical market need and built a sustainable business that redefines athlete empowerment in professional sports.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Daniela Andrade on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on August 28, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →