The second year of the three-on-three, player-run, offseason league Unrivaled comes to a close today as the No. 1 seed Phantom BC and No. 2 seed Mist BC face off in the championship with a $600,000 dollar pool.
If the pool’s increase from the inaugural season’s $50,000 didn’t immediately convince you, the league has exploded in popularity.
Unrivaled CEO Alex Bazzell told Bleacher Report that the league is on track to eclipse $40 million in league revenue this season, up more than 48 percent from last season’s $27 million revenue.
The league has thrived on taking chances like going on a tour that led to record-breaking attendance. Savvy deals like whiskey giant Maker’s Mark’s first-ever sports league partnership have turned heads and have been crucial growth resources in year two.
“The viral ‘Everyone Watches Women’s Sports’ is more than a slogan, it’s a movement. It reflects a fundamental shift driven by athletes, coaches and organizations who are reimagining the game and expanding its influence across fashion, music, beauty and now spirits,” Regan Clarke, U.S. vice president of American Whiskey Brands at Suntory Global Spirits, told Bleacher Report.
As we tune into the championship on TNT tonight, here are the things Unrivaled nailed, and why the WNBA and NBA should pay attention.
