The Unrivaled league quickly expanded to eight teams in the second season only, and added 12 players and eight players also in the development pool. While the league saw a massive $18 million revenue jump, season 2 handed them a blueprint of success – expansion. Napheesa Collier also opened up on the same.
It’s important to note that the 3-on-3 league is just 2 seasons old and is already competing with the 3-decade-old WNBA in terms of fan following.
Napheesa Collier Sees Opportunity With St. Louis
The Unrivaled league had one of the ‘safest’ structures with all teams playing in one arena, avoiding travelling, while the schedules allowed players enough rest for the next game. But as the league is looking to grow and expand its wings, it will be traveling to different cities for games and looking to have an F1-like schedule.
In season 2, the league tasted success with houseful Philadelphia and Brooklyn arenas. The first stop, Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, set multiple records and earned the league $2 million in revenue, which prompted further expansion. Talking about the same, Collier mentioned St. Louis as a possible tour stop for Unrivaled next season.
Co-Founder and Lunar Owls player, Napheesa Collier mentioned St. Louis as a possible tour stop for Unrivaled next season. pic.twitter.com/lbtecAcm4q
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) March 5, 2026
While the player is looking for expansion of the league, St. Louis has a special connection with the former UConn star. After moving from Jefferson City, she played for Incarnate Word Academy in St. Louis for three years, becoming a standout player. She married trainer Alex Bazzell in St. Louis on October 7, 2022, and they have a daughter, Mila Sarah Bazzell.
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While the decision may have a personal touch or feelings, the professional star knows how the business works and used Unrivaled success to target the WNBA leadership.
Napheesa Collier ‘Understands’ Business End Of Basketball
The Lynx forward was not only a vice president in WNBPA but also a co-founder of the Unrivaled league. While the player’s superstar status helped her accelerate the league’s success, the model certainly worked for Women’s basketball players.
Also, the player constantly used Unrivaled and its commissioner, Alex Bazzell, as examples to target the league leadership and highlighted how the league should communicate and take care of its players, who are its main product on the floor.
The Unrivalled now has a whole year to plan out its expansion. But the owners are certainly pumped up with the recent success and ready to experiment.