Unrivaled was never positioned to compete with the WNBA. But Seattle Storm’s Gabby Williams isn’t holding back. There have been growing concerns among a few that the women’s league will face some challenges in the coming time. While the officials deny the probability, players narrate a whole different probability.
The WNBA is in a mix, safe to say now at least. While the league has gone back and forth with players representing the new CBA, meetings after meetings have yet to decide a singular fate. Though pay is the major reason behind the shakeup, holding on to the players would be another tough nut to crack.
Gabby Williams Ready To Quit WNBA For Unrivaled Pay
Recently, Williams appeared on Sarah Spain’s ‘Good Game’ podcast to voice her opinion. The WNBA All-Star got real about her frustrations with the league’s packed schedule, expansion plans, and, let’s be honest, the paycheck.
However, she shockingly dropped a bombshell about snubbing the league altogether, provided she gets a better-paying contract from Unrivaled. Gabby laid it out plain and simple and blasted Cathy Engelbert’s aggressive planning for expansion teams.
According to the power forward, “We can’t add this many teams and play seven games a week if the league stays between May and September.”
having players willing to talk about this topic in this way is so important pic.twitter.com/Xwe8jTSWMm
— dani🍓 (@hereetoyap) July 29, 2025
She had little to nothing to hold on to while getting brutally honest about quitting the WNBA.
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“Maybe I won’t be in the W if I get a much better offer from Unrivaled or from another team overseas. The W doesn’t like Unrivaled,” she added.
With the WNBA eyeing a jump to 18 teams by 2030, a longer season feels like a given. But here’s the catch. It could cut into the time players like Gabby have to earn extra cash playing abroad or in leagues like Unrivaled. Unlike NBA stars, WNBA players often rely on these gigs to make ends meet, literally.
Gabby Williams Not All Wrong For Prioritizing Unrivaled Over WNBA
Making it to the pro league, just like the NBA or WNBA, is an absolute dream for players who have been hooping most of their lives. But another major part of the dream WNBA contract is money, and no one can deny that.
That’s where Unrivaled comes in. Started by hoop legends Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, this league gives players a way to stay in the U.S., train, earn some money, and build their brand during the offseason.
Gabby gave Unrivaled a big shout-out, saying it helped players show up ready for WNBA training camps in 2025 despite the league’s strict rules about being there on time. But she also let slip that the WNBA isn’t exactly thrilled about Unrivaled stealing its thunder. So, if the league really wants less drama and more hoop, it should reconsider terms.
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