Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Unrivaled Expands While Keeping Seat Warm for Caitlin Clark

  • Lynx star Napheesa Collier said the league exceeded its financial projections.
  • Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson have yet to commit to playing in the league.
Oct 18, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) works around New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) during the first half of game four of the 2024 WNBA Finals at Target Center.
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

As rumors swirl of a possible star-powered addition, Unrivaled is expanding its roster. 

Minnesota Lynx star and Unrivaled cofounder Napheesa Collier announced the upcoming 3-on-3 women’s basketball league will expand its rosters from 30 to 36 players after the league beat early financial forecasts. Collier’s husband, Alex Bazzell, is league president.

“We exceeded our financial projections, which means we get to expand sooner than expected and offer more spots to deserving players in Unrivaled,” Collier said in a video posted to X/Twitter. “Women’s sports are in an amazing moment, and we’re incredibly grateful for the support that has helped make this possible.”

The league, which will begin play in January 2025 in Miami—during the WNBA’s offseason—has landed multiple WNBA stars, including Breanna Stewart and Kelsey Plum, and announced Fever forward Aliyah Boston as its 30th participant shortly after Collier’s post.

As Front Office Sports reported earlier this month, Unrivaled is set to make Clark a seven-figure offer that includes equity in the league. Clark is now “leaning 60/40” toward accepting the offer, Sports Business Journal reported Thursday. The addition of multiple spots makes room for league MVP A’ja Wilson to join, too. 

“We’ve exceeding expectations in the revenue model that have allowed us to expand roster spots, which is what we’ve always wanted to do,” Bazzell told Front Office Sports. We’re just able to do that in year 1, which is exciting.”

Unrivaled has a broadcast agreement in place with TNT, and the players are reportedly set to earn six-figure salaries and have equity in the league. It is supposed to serve as an alternative to WNBA players spending the offseason playing overseas to help compensate for WNBA salaries that pay players such as Clark $76,535 despite being the No. 1 pick in the draft. 

Bazzell downplayed the rumors of a Clark addition on Thursday, telling Sportico, “We’re always going to have a roster spot for Caitlin Clark. We’re not applying a full-court press the way people think. … She knows that we have a spot for her when she’s ready.” 

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Adam Silver on LeBron Helicopter: ‘Perfectly Appropriate’

A source tells FOS the league is not investigating the matter.
Blake Griffin Front Office Sports

Blake Griffin: Clippers Haven’t Honored ‘Lob City’ Team

Griffin said the Clippers releasing Chris Paul was “disappointing.”
Aug 20, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Basketball Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady looks on during the first half between the Dallas Wings and Indiana Fever at American Airlines Center.

Tracy McGrady Backs NBA’s Clippers Punishment: ‘Bad Business’

“Trying to circumvent the salary cap is just a no-no.”

Why Europe Is Pumping Out NBA Superstars

The NBA and NCAA have an increasingly European flavor.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/20/26 – Knicks’ $4K Opener, Brewers’ $2,800 World Series, Colts Call Peyton?

0:00

Featured Today

College Flag Football Is Outgrowing Its DIY Era

Women have been building the college game themselves at the club level.
Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena
October 12, 2026

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Action Images/Peter Cziborra
October 9, 2026

Is Leicester City’s $264 Million Price Tag Too Rich for Hungry Investors?

After falling from grace, how much is a former top club worth?
Oct 3, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer waits to run onto the field prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
October 7, 2026

Who Is Alabama Football in Year 3 Under Kalen DeBoer?

The No. 6 Crimson Tide host No. 2 Georgia on Saturday.
Cubs behind the scenes
October 6, 2026

Hollywood and TikTok: Sports Media’s New ‘Blueprint’

Teams and leagues are pouring money into the quest for fans.

Brewers Fans Could Find Cheaper World Series Tickets in Tampa

The ticket resale market for the event shows two very different situations.
October 19, 2026

Rays Clinch Pennant, Head to Small-Market World Series

The Rays clinched their third American League pennant.
Soccer Football - Spain's Football Federation elects a new president - Ciudad del Futbol, Las Rozas, Spain - December 16, 2024 LaLiga president Javier Tebas speaks to the media REUTERS/Isabel Infantes
October 20, 2026

Tebas’s Goebbels Comparison Is Latest Escalation in His Real Madrid Feud

The LaLiga president continues to stand by the analogy.
Sponsored

Blake Griffin’s Plan for Media Domination

The former NBA star is building a second act across media & entertainment.
October 19, 2026

5 Biggest Storylines of the NBA Season

The 2026–27 NBA season starts Tuesday.
Oct 4, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) before kick off against the Los Angeles Rams at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
October 19, 2026

Hurts to Miss Rest of Season, Leaving Eagles Without Their $255M QB

Blood clots were found in Hurts’s lungs.
October 18, 2026

The Chiefs’ Revival Has Given the NFL Its Marquee Team Back

With Mahomes back, they’re 5–0.
October 18, 2026

NFL Says Paris Game Still on As French Protests Escalate

Unrest has grown in France in recent days.