Breanna Stewart Celebrates Unrivaled Attendance Record: 'This is Just the Beginning'

Setting New Standards: Unrivaled's Surge

This Monday night, the Unrivaled women's basketball league will grace Brooklyn's Barclays Center for its semifinals, a significant milestone that has the sports community buzzing. With a record-breaking attendance of 21,490 fans in Philadelphia last month, it's clear that women's basketball is not just a niche sport anymore; it's drawing massive crowds that rival those of the NBA.

"It's more than just hype what we have at Unrivaled. You're really seeing the product through and through – what you get on the court and how players are treated off the court," said Breanna Stewart, co-founder of the league and a player with the New York Liberty.

Stewart, a star in her own right, is leading the charge towards redefining women's basketball, making it inclusive, accessible, and rewarding for the players. The semifinals will mark the first time that Unrivaled takes place in a venue synonymous with high-level professional basketball outside of its Miami base.

Historical Milestones

The Philadelphia event wasn't just another game; it created ripples across the basketball landscape. This attendance figure set new standards, surpassing not only previous women's game records but staggering even the Philadelphia 76ers' highest mark of 21,305 that stood since 1998.

Breanna Stewart reflected on the astonishing feat saying, “We're both just really proud of where this league started, honestly where it was before we even had a blueprint to where it is now.”

Financial Incentives and Player Equity

Unrivaled distinguishes itself in a saturated market by offering the highest average salaries for women's basketball athletes, reported at an impressive $222,222. This is complemented by equity stakes in the league, ensuring that players not only receive competitive pay but also share in the league's financial success.

Prime examples can be seen with players like Napheesa Collier, who won a $200,000 prize in a midseason tournament and generously shared with her team's support staff, indicating a culture of community and growth within Unrivaled.

Looking Ahead

As Unrivaled moves into the semifinals, there is palpable excitement among fans and athletes alike. Stewart is keenly aware of the legacy they are building. “We're paying the players what they deserve, paying the players adequately and trying to make sure every year that's going up a tremendous amount,” she emphasized.

The potential for even greater growth is immense. As we look ahead to the upcoming WNBA season and its pivotal negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement, the momentum and community engagement generated by Unrivaled sets a powerful precedent.

Game Night Expectations

With the Barclays Center expected to be packed, Stewart's Mist team is set to face off against the Breeze at 8:45 p.m., while the top-seeded Phantom takes on the Vinyl at 7:30 p.m. It's a night that promises excitement, and for those of us invested in the growth of women's sports, it's a spectacle not to be missed.

The Bigger Picture

The turnout at events like Unrivaled plays a critical role in elevating perceptions of women's sports. As fans continue to fill arenas, it sends a clear message: women's basketball is not just a side act, but a main event, deserving of every bit of attention it garners.

Conclusion

In celebrating this groundbreaking time for the sport, we let go of outdated narratives. Unrivaled is changing the game, quite literally, and as Breanna Stewart so aptly puts it, “This is just the beginning.” It's time for us all to be part of this exhilarating journey.