Brittney Griner Glad That Pressure Is Being Directed At The WNBA
01/08/2025 02:50 PM
The WNBA had a landmark season in 2024, setting records in viewership and attendance. The league ushered in a new era with a transcendent class of rookies, featuring Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark and Cameron Brink as the headliners.
The attention on the first-year players would eventually spread around the league, as fans packed arenas and tuned into games through the WNBA Finals in September.
All of the new eyes on the league have also made more aware of the issues that its players face, including the relatively low pay when compared to other professional sports.
One women's basketball star is ready to start the season in a new league, and she says she's happy to put some pressure on the WNBA in the process.
Brittney Griner will be a part of Unrivaled Basketball, a new 3-on-3 league founded by All-Stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. The league will play an eight-week season starting later this month, and players will make an average of $222,222 according to CBS Sports.
That's a big increase over the $113,295 average salary of WNBA players in 2023, and Griner says she hopes the increase for the Unrivaled players will inspire change in the league.
"[Unrivaled] is bringing something new to women's basketball," Griner said.
"They're trying to give us a different look, a different feel. We can bring everybody together in one spot. They're really pouring in a lot. Unrivaled is showing that you don't need a lot of time to pull resources together to be able to put a good product out there."
Griner said that she hopes Unrivaled does well, and that its success promotes more growth for the WNBA in return.
"I think it puts pressure for sure. It's been amazing," said Kahleah Copper, Griner's teammate on the Phoenix Mercury.
"I'm grateful they're able to put some pressure on things we deserve and things we are pushing for."
Unrivaled has secured $35 million in funding ahead of its first season, with investors including professional athletes like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Coco Gauff, as well as entertainers like Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis.
Fans can tune into the start of the Unrivaled season with a doubleheader on TNT and Max on January 17th. Griner will make her debut the following day with the Phantom Basketball Club, joining Sabrina Ionescu and Satou Sabally.
Related: Angel Reese Had Message For Critics After Posing For Vogue Magazine
