Imago
Credits: Imagn
Imago
Credits: Imagn
It’s been over a month since the newest 3-on-3 league kicked off. While it was co-founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, performance-wise, it initially looked as if the Lynx standout owned the league all alone. But not anymore. Both Stewie and Mist BC weren’t about to let history repeat itself.
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After suffering a tough loss to Laces BC earlier in the tournament, Mist stormed back—this time with a vengeance. They flipped a tied game into a dominant 65-49 win.
“Whether we’re tired or whatever, next woman up mentality,” Stewart said after the game. “We’ve struggled with our 3rd’s and wanted to make sure there is growth. We wanted this win bad.”
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And Stewie backed up her words, finishing with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists. But the win wasn’t as easy as it may seem. With the game tied at 43-43, Mist BC went on a blistering 10-2 run to close out the third quarter. Then, they opened the fourth with another 12-2 surge.
Breanna Stewart on Mist
“Whether we’re tired or whatever, next woman up mentality…we’ve struggled with our 3rd’s and wanted to make sure there is growth. We wanted this win bad.”
— Moreau Sports Media Prod Co. (@MoreauSportsCo) February 25, 2025
Can you believe it? They scored 22 points while holding their opponents to just six. But while Mist’s win was the highlight of the night, Unrivaled’s co-founder had another crucial conversation.
As WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert visited Unrivaled, her presence raised questions—especially since Unrivaled is often viewed as a competitor to the WNBA. But Stewie, as a co-founder, made her stance clear.
“We’re really happy to welcome Cathy,” Stewart said. “And I know that both leagues can have success. I hope she sees how hard we’re working to put a great product out here… having different TV deals and having different partners.” And she meant every single word.
Despite giving tough competition, Breanna Stewart clears her stance on the newest league’s rivalry
It’s no secret that Unrivaled is carving out its own space. Unlike the WNBA, which recently secured a massive $2.2 billion media rights deal set to begin in 2025, Unrivaled has inked a six-year, $100 million broadcast partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery.
Their games are set to air on TNT and truTV while also streaming on Max. Not just that, the league is creating new avenues for women’s basketball outside of the WNBA’s structure. While most WNBA players were forced to play in international leagues during the offseason, Unrivaled gives them an opportunity to stay home.
And it comes with immense financial benefits. With an $8 million salary pool, Unrivaled ensures that nearly every player makes at least $100,000, along with equity stakes in the league. As if that wasn’t enough, it also offers an alternative to the WNBA’s salary cap restrictions.
Imago
Jan 17, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Napheesa Collier (24) of the Lunar Owls drives toward the basket as Courtney Vandersloot (25) of the Mist defends during the first half of the Unrivaled women’s professional 3v3 basketball league at Wayfair Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Compare that to the WNBA, where even a game-changer like Caitlin Clark is capped at around $78,000. No doubt, it’s easy to see why Unrivaled is turning heads. But Stewie is adamant that the new 3-on-3 league isn’t here to compete with the WNBA—it’s here to complement it.
“I think that my entire mindset behind this and really doing things is for the next generation,” Stewart told The New York Post. “And making sure that we continue to elevate this game while we’re still here playing.”
So while Mist BC’s comeback was a statement on the court, the 2024 Olympic gold medalist’s words off the court carried just as much weight. But do you think, even if it’s not meant to, Unrivaled is giving the WNBA some tough competition?
Written by
Edited by
Reyan Mishra