Why Has Kelsey Plum Withdrawn From Unrivaled? WNBA Star Drops Bombshell Days After Taking Over Cigar Industry

When the concept of Unrivaled Basketball, a 3-on-3 offseason league, was introduced by WNBA standouts Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, Kelsey Plum was one of the first to jump on board. The Las Vegas Aces star became the sixth player to secure her spot in the league’s roster of 30 players back in July.

The primary motivation for Plum to join seemed clear—boosting her earnings. The new league, set to debut in January, promised top-tier compensation for players, including a minimum salary of $100,000 per season. This additional income would have significantly supplemented Plum’s current WNBA contract, reportedly valued at around $200,000 annually. However, all of that now feels like a distant memory.

Plum opts out!

On November 27, days after celebrating her partnership with Kingmakers Cigar for a signature collection, Kelsey Plum took to Instagram to make a surprising announcement. In her Instagram story, she revealed, “I’ve decided not to take part in the inaugural season of Unrivaled.” With just a month left before the league’s debut and only two roster spots remaining to be filled, Plum’s decision was a blow to the league and its fans.

But why?

If you’re assuming the decision stems from other professional commitments or an injury, you’d be mistaken. Plum’s reason was personal—she wanted to focus on herself during the offseason. She explained, “In order to take some time for myself this offseason… I wish the league and its players nothing but the best and I’m excited to watch.”

For Plum, prioritizing her well-being outweighed the allure of the $100,000 salary, showcasing the importance of balance even in the face of lucrative opportunities. The league itself was caught off guard, as just a few days earlier, Unrivaled had revealed its roster, and Plum was drafted to the Laces basketball club. She would have played under coach Andre Wade, alongside Courtney Williams, Kayla McBride, Alyssa Thomas, Stefanie Dolson, and her teammate Kate Martin. However, all those plans have gone in vain as Plum will be enjoying her offseason.

This decision comes after recent developments in her cigar business.

Every time there’s a celebration, there’s a cigar for Kelsey Plum. Whether it’s during the Aces’ two-time national championship win or the 2024 Olympic gold medal win, Plum has never hesitated to light up her branded cigar. That celebration finally turned heads when Kelsey introduced a custom print signature branded cigar band to be sold at lounges.

“My cigar, now sold in lounges. If you would have told me that a couple of years ago when I smoked my first cigar in this same lounge, I would have laughed. Your life can look a lot different in a short time….in the best way. Won’t HE do it,” she unveiled the news on Instagram. As it was a significant achievement for her, her teammates from the WNBA and even NBA players dived into the comments section to congratulate her.

A few days after this celebration, Plum was spotted at Sin City’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, catching glimpses of motorsports. Partnered with Google to promote their game, she was seen in a video featuring her experience with every turn of McLaren’s Pato O’Ward in the driver’s seat. Impressive, right? That’s exactly why Plum would have preferred offseason enjoyment. She’s doing it all—from her favorite cigars to motorsports—while making money. So why choose Unrivaled over offseason fun?