Exceptional Gaming Company Set to Reward Players Excessively in 2026 Following a Triumphant Debut Season
The upstart 3-on-3 women's basketball league, Unrivaled, has announced that it will raise player salaries in 2026, a move that is expected to significantly surpass the current average WNBA salary. This announcement comes amidst ongoing CBA negotiations between the WNBA and its players' union, putting pressure on the league to deliver a more competitive compensation package.
Unrivaled's success and substantial growth have been the driving force behind this decision. In its first year, the league generated a whopping $27 million in revenue, bolstered by media rights deals with TNT and sponsorships from brands like Ally Financial, Samsung Galaxy, Sephora, and Miller Lite. Nearly 90% of Unrivaled's player pool for next season has already been signed, with notable absences such as Caitlin Clark, A'ja Wilson, and Kelsey Plum.
The league's business model, which outperformed every metric that was set, will keep the pressure on the WNBA to deliver a more competitive compensation package. Unrivaled's eight-week season finishes before WNBA training camps open, allowing players to participate in both leagues. This flexibility has positioned Unrivaled as a high-paying alternative to playing overseas.
Last season, the WNBA paid an average salary of $220,000, with no player making less than six figures. However, the average WNBA salary is under $150,000, and the minimum is about $66,000. In contrast, Paige Bueckers, the 2025 No. 1 overall WNBA Draft pick, is expected to join Unrivaled and earn more than $350,000 in her first season.
Players are demanding higher salaries and a more dynamic revenue-sharing model, while the league's opening proposal has been called "unsustainable" by the union. The current CBA between the WNBA and its players' union expires at the end of October. The league plans to add 6 new players to a developmental pool, expanding the total talent from 36 to 42.
If revenue shares increased to 40%, the salary cap could rise to $6.481 million, enabling up to three times current salaries. This financial growth could indirectly support salary increases both in the WNBA and affiliated entities like Unrivaled. The timing of the announcement of Unrivaled's salary bump is no accident, as it comes amidst these ongoing CBA negotiations.
In summary, Unrivaled players' salaries are projected to rise well above an average of $220,000 in 2026, reflecting the competitive and complementary relationship between Unrivaled and the WNBA in boosting player earnings. The WNBA and its players' union remain locked in contentious CBA negotiations, with Unrivaled's salary increase adding to the pressure for a more competitive compensation package.
Unrivaled's projected player salaries in 2026 will surpass the average WNBA salary, potentially reaching beyond $350,000 for some players. This salary growth in the 3-on-3 basketball league may put pressure on the WNBA to deliver a more competitive compensation package for its players.
