Brittney Griner sends fierce warning to WNBA over what Unrivaled is showing

Unrivaled makes its much-anticipated debut next week with the 3×3 league set to attract eyes in the offseason – but Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner fired a warning to the WNBA

Brittney Griner called on the WNBA to “do better” ahead of imminent Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations (CBA) and the launch of Unrivaled.

Unrivaled is the new 3×3 league set to be staged in Miami that was co-founded by WNBA All-Stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. The league will tip off for its inaugural campaign next week, with a number of the best players in the game set to take part.

Unrivaled players are also expected to earn a guaranteed average salary of approximately $250,000, along with equity stakes as part-owners in the league which makes it a compelling venture both financially and professionally. The league’s equity-based financial platform is putting pressure on the WNBA, especially with the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) opted out of the league’s current CBA.

The WNBPA is seeking an “equity-based” economic model moving forward, and Phoenix Mercury superstar Griner would like to see the WNBA make steps forward. Unrivaled is proving how effective such a move can be, even before tipping off.

“Unrivaled is showing that you don’t need a lot of time to pool resources together,” Griner said at a press conference ahead of Unrivaled’s launch. “Being happy with what we already have is not gonna fly [here]… it’ll definitely put pressure on [the W] to do better.”

Unrivaled has quickly made waves in the sports world, with its equity-based economic model proving successful in attracting players. A league spokesperson told Front Office Sports: “We believe Unrivaled is setting a new standard in the marketplace.”

A former WNBA champion, Brittney Griner is one of the biggest names in women’s basketball

Now, with 10-time All-Star Griner speaking out, the WNBA is under pressure to pay its players more following the arrival of Caitlin Clark and the elevated league viewership. WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike recently outlined why the body opted out of the CBA.

“Opting out isn’t just about bigger paychecks—it’s about claiming our rightful share of the business we’ve built, improving working conditions, and securing a future where the success we create benefits today’s players and the generations to come,” Ogwumike said. “We’re not just asking for a CBA that reflects our value; we’re demanding it, because we’ve earned it.”

Unrivaled’s highly-anticipated inaugural season is set to run from January to March, clashing with the NBA season and the WNBA offseason. TNT Sports will air games three nights a week across its platforms, with Mondays and Fridays on TNT and Saturdays on truTV.

Meanwhile, all games will be streamed on Max – including more than 45 prime-time games. Unrivaled tips off on Jan. 17, 2025, when Stewart’s Mist take on Collier’s Lunar Owls.