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Unrivaled and Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball have both provided opportunities for WNBA players to continue to train and compete during the offseason without traveling overseas. While some players enjoy the experience of living and playing in different countries, others do not, and both leagues have been a landing spot of sorts for players from both groups.
The leagues have also raised questions surrounding whether or not there are conflicts of interest (Unrivaled was co-founded by the New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier) and if the leagues could sustain WNBA players — or at least some of them — should a strike be called ahead of the 2026 season.
Natasha Cloud appeared in fan the flames of some of those concerns during a conversation on the “Be Great Academy Podcast” this week. In a clip shared on social media, Cloud said, “I feel like I can’t say that there is or there isn’t (a back up plan) coz I’m not 100% sure, but I know Unrivaled is prepared in so many different instances and the biggest one being that we own the space that we play in.”
“So if we wanted to stay here as the players of Unrivaled with equity in this league and with space, financial money, all that stuff, we could stay here, train, play, put on another season if need be,” Cloud continued. “So that’s a beautiful thing, and that’s why I’m so appreciative to be a part of a league like Unrivaled.”
Unrivaled could conceivably pivot from 3×3 basketball to 5×5
While Unrivaled was founded as a professional 3×3 basketball league, it’s hardly outside of the realm of possibility that it could a) pivot to 5×5 basketball and b) potentially even add more teams to account for additional WNBA players who aren’t currently on an Unrivaled roster.
That idea is purely speculative; at present, it’s not clear how such a change could be made, what kind of time the league might need to make that change, and how many more players (if any) could be added. The league’s second season boasts a 54 player roster; the WNBA is home to approximately 150-160 players at present. That’s a lot of athletes who could still be without a job if the 2026 WNBA season is delayed.
The WNBA and WNBPA are negotiating in good faith
Though the latest CBA extension lapsed on January 9, both the WNBA and the players have acknowledged they are committed to continuing negotiations in good faith. Both sides have also expressed optimism that a new CBA will be signed ahead of the 2026 season. But Cloud’s comments likely didn’t come from out of the blue; it makes sense that players are having conversations about what might happen if a strike is authorized, and it’s fair that many would hope Unrivaled would have answers.
