• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

Unrivaled Co-Founders Deny Conflict of Interest With WNBPA Leadership

Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart are co-founders of Unrivaled and board members of the WNBPA.

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The July 4 weekend brought some proverbial fireworks towards WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.

Collier, the 2025 MVP frontrunner, replied to a viral tweet which suggested that Unrivaled—the league she founded alongside her husband, Alex Bazzell, and New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart—would benefit from a WNBA lockout. Collier and Stewart are board members of the WNBPA.

“[Collier and Stewart] are the ones leading CBA negotiations? How do you negotiate in good faith?” wrote X user Evelyn DR, whose handle is @prettygirle2004, around 1 a.m. ET on Saturday. 

The tweet had about 1.5 million views and more than 1,200 likes as of Sunday afternoon. (The poster initially labeled Stewart as the WNBPA president, a role held by Nneka Ogumike of the Seattle Storm, before making a correction in the tweet’s thread.)

Collier responded on Saturday afternoon, insinuating that a WNBA lockout would mean players would lose money.

“While everyone else was enjoying fireworks, you were thinking about how me and & Stewie of all people are conspiring to force a lockout that would result in less money year-round for WNBA players?” Collier’s tweet read.

Front Office Sports reporter Annie Costabile asked Stewart about the potential conflict of interest Saturday, and the two-time WNBA MVP said that WNBPA executive director Terri Jackson has not brought up any issues with the roles of the two Unrivaled cofounders.

“If [Jackson] was to think that it would be a conflict of interest, then she would let us know. But I don’t see how or why when we’re just trying to both uplift and amplify both leagues to play together,” Stewart said. 

Unrivaled is the 3-on-3 women’s professional basketball league that played its inaugural season in January. The league has 30 roster spots and each player was paid a six-figure salary, while the average salary per player was more than $200,000. The minimum WNBA salary in 2025 is $66,079 while fewer than 25 players make an average annual value of at least $200,000, according to Spotrac.

The WNBPA is fighting for larger salaries for its next CBA, which would start next season if the two sides can come to an agreement. FOS reported Wednesday that the union rejected the WNBA’s first CBA proposal, sent over the prior week. 

Satou Sabally, a union representative for the Phoenix Mercury, called the proposal a “slap in the face” when speaking to the media Tuesday.

Stewart said Saturday that the discussions between the two sides “haven’t even gotten to that point of talking about anything further than salary.”

FOS reporter Annie Costabile contributed to this story.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ex-NBPA Director Defends Two-Apron System: ‘There’s No Hard Cap’

The NBA’s two-apron system started in the 2023–24 season.

Sophie Cunningham Will Podcast With Cowherd’s Volume, Continuing Breakout

Cunningham’s podcast deal is the latest in a breakout summer

Gabby Williams: ‘Unrivaled Saved the WNBA’s Butt’

Unrivaled was co-founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.
Jul 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky guard Kia Nurse (11) drives to the basket against Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) during the second half at United Center.

Fever-Sky Draws 1.5M Viewers Despite Clark, Reese Absences

Clark and Reese both missed the game due to injury.

Featured Today

Las Vegas sign

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training
July 28, 2025

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.
Limited Hype
July 27, 2025

Sneaker Reselling Was Once Easy Money. Success Is Now Complicated

Vendors need to evolve what they’re selling and how they do it.
HAPPY GILMORE 2. BTS - (L to R) Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore and Rory McIlroy as himself on the set of Happy Gilmore2.
July 26, 2025

‘Cool As Hell’: How ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ Hooked Golf’s Top Stars

The process was “cool as hell,” Adam Sandler tells FOS.
Jul 24, 2025; Washington, D.C., USA; Venus Williams (USA) waves to the crowd after her match against Magdalena Frech (POL)(not pictured) in a women's singles match on day four of the Mubadala Citi DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center.

Venus Williams Returns to U.S. Open Ahead of New Mixed Doubles Format

The number of doubles teams at the US Open has been cut to 16 from 32.
July 28, 2025

Inter Miami Owner Calls MLS Messi Suspension ‘Draconian’

Inter Miami’s owner and coach blast the league for penalizing the superstar.
Joaquin Niemann
July 28, 2025

Scottie Scheffler’s Season Earnings Surpassed by LIV’s Niemann

Niemann has made $21.94 million on the golf course this year.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
July 27, 2025

Terry McLaurin Ends Commanders Holdout After Losing $800K

Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin is still seeking a new contract.
July 27, 2025

Lottie Woad Wins Pro Golf Debut After Forfeiting Nearly $600K As Amateur

Woad won the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open and $300,000.
Christian Wilkins
July 25, 2025

Raiders Trying to Void $35 Million in Guaranteed Money They Owe 

Christian Wilkins missed most of the 2024 season with a Jones fracture.
July 25, 2025

Cattle Dermatitis Outbreak Forces Tour de France Route Change

The Tour cut two climbs and shortened the stage by 35 km.