Napheesa Collier on Unrivaled, Closing the Gender Pay Gap in Sports, and Player Empowerment

The Genesis of Unrivaled

• 💡 Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart founded Unrivaled, a three-on-three women's basketball league, to address the need for players to supplement income and maintain brand visibility during the WNBA offseason.
• 🚀 The league was designed to showcase the skills of top female basketball players, offering the highest average salary in professional women's sports history and state-of-the-art facilities.
• 💰 A key motivation was to combat the significant gender pay gap in sports, with Unrivaled aiming to treat female athletes equitably.

Player-Centric Facilities and Support

• 🛠️ Unrivaled provides top-tier amenities, including advanced training and recovery rooms, and access to the best physicians.
• ✨ Unique offerings like an esthetician, a glam room for shoots, and a Sephora brand room enhance the player experience and support brand building.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Essential childcare services, including nursing rooms, daycare, and a kids' room, were a priority to allow mothers to focus on their game.

Business Acumen and Negotiation

• 🧠 Collier describes her transition to the business side as a fascinating introduction to the business world, noting the initial challenges in gaining buy-in for a new concept.
• 📈 Understanding the business side has better prepared her for negotiations within the WNBA, providing insight into financial realities.
• 🤝 The success of Unrivaled is seen as a tool to raise the entire ecosystem of women's basketball and women's sports, positively impacting other leagues and overseas contracts.

Financial Success and Future Growth

• 📊 Unrivaled generated $27 million in revenue in its first year, exceeding expectations and ensuring sustainability for several years.
• 🌍 Future plans include tour stops, expanding teams and player pools, and further increasing player salaries to continue elevating the sport.
• 📈 The league is focused on growth and sustainability, aiming to improve both the fan experience and player compensation.

Impact Beyond the Court

• 💖 Collier is a passionate advocate for women's health and empowerment, especially with her daughter.
• 💊 She is involved with initiatives like Opill, aiming to educate young women about reproductive health, particularly in underserved communities.