What's Happening?
The New York Liberty's Breanna Stewart and Natasha Cloud are set to return to the Unrivaled league, an offseason basketball league co-founded by Stewart and Napheesha Collier. The league, which provides
players an opportunity to stay domestic during the offseason, saw participation from several Liberty players last season. However, Sabrina Ionescu and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton will not return, likely due to health concerns and scheduling conflicts. The league's expansion and the addition of new teams have influenced players' decisions regarding participation.
Why It's Important?
The Unrivaled league offers a significant alternative for WNBA players to maintain competitive play during the offseason without traveling overseas. This development is crucial for player welfare, as it reduces travel-related fatigue and allows players to focus on recovery and training. The league's growth and the participation of high-profile players like Stewart and Cloud highlight its potential to become a major platform for women's basketball, especially if WNBA collective bargaining agreements remain unresolved.
What's Next?
As the Unrivaled league continues to expand, it may attract more players seeking domestic offseason opportunities. The league's success could influence future WNBA negotiations, particularly regarding player contracts and offseason commitments. The Liberty's focus will be on retaining key players and ensuring they are healthy for the upcoming WNBA season, with the potential for Unrivaled to play a larger role in players' offseason plans.
