Unrivaled, the professional women’s basketball league co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, has announced that UCONN star guard Paige Bueckers has joined the league through a groundbreaking NIL deal. As a two-time All-American and reigning BIG EAST Player of the Year, Bueckers becomes an Owner and Partner in Unrivaled alongside 30 elite athletes set to compete in its debut season, which tips off in Miami in January 2025.
While Bueckers will not be playing in the league’s inaugural season, she is expected to participate in the future, making her the first college athlete to own a stake in a professional sports league she intends to play in post-college.
“Blessed and grateful to be a part of this amazing league. To take an active role in the growth of women’s sports is a dream come true. Excited for the future, it’s just the beginning! ”
Blessed and grateful to be a part of this amazing league. To take an active role in the growth of women’s sports is a dream come true. Excited for the future, it’s just the beginning!
https://t.co/xSCetSsDCH
— Paige Bueckers (@paigebueckers1) August 1, 2024
Unrivaled made headlines earlier this year by announcing it would offer the highest average salary in women’s professional sports league history. The league has revealed 10 of the 30 athletes committed to playing this January, including Stewart, Collier, Chelsea Gray, Arike Ogunbowale, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Rhyne Howard, Kahleah Copper, Jackie Young, and Angel Reese. Additional athlete announcements are expected on August 12.
“Unrivaled is proud to be part of the next evolution in women’s basketball, as we look to set a new standard for today’s athletes and the legends of tomorrow.” said Unrivaled Commissioner Micky Lawler. “The entire landscape of women’s sports is shifting in exciting ways, and it is on us to continue that innovative spirit and bring about positive changes for all athletes, both at the professional and collegiate levels. In addition to the elite level of globally recognized talent we’ll have on the court in January – only a third of whom have been announced – we’re so excited to have Paige join the Unrivaled family, and we look forward to all that she will accomplish.”
For more information on Unrivaled, follow @UnrivaledBasketball or visit unrivaled.basketball.
The post Paige Bueckers Joins Unrivaled Basketball League in Historic NIL Deal first appeared on The Source.
The post Paige Bueckers Joins Unrivaled Basketball League in Historic NIL Deal appeared first on The Source.