It might be WNBA All-Star Weekend, but Unrivaled tried to steal the spotlight with the announcement of a major NIL initiative.
The 3-on-3 women’s basketball league announced 13 new NIL deal signings, including USC’s JuJu Watkins, UCLA’s Lauren Betts, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, and UConn’s Azzi Fudd.
The complete list of new signees also includes UConn’s Sarah Strong, TCU’s Olivia Miles, Texas’s Madison Booker, UCLA’s Kiki Rice, LSU’s MiLaysia Fulwiley, Iowa State’s Audi Crooks, South Carolina’s Ta’Niya Latson, Michigan’s Syla Swords, and UCLA’s Sienna Betts.
LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson, who had an existing NIL deal with the league, is also continuing her partnership. However, this new version does not include equity in the league, unlike the previous version.
Unrivaled presented by Samsung Galaxy just signed 14 of the top women’s college hoopers to game-changing NIL deals.
We’re kicking it off with The Future is Unrivaled Summit Presented by Samsung Galaxy in Miami at the end of July 🤩 Stay tuned for more 👀 pic.twitter.com/xhuCOewiWj
— Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) July 19, 2025
These new signings join the NIL partnership that 2025 WNBA No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers signed as well. Watkins was also already involved with Unrivaled through her investment in the league.
“Investing in elite women’s basketball talent is central to Unrivaled’s mission,” Unrivaled president of basketball operations Luke Cooper said. “This transformational, first-of-its-kind initiative brings together the best of the best and reflects our deep commitment to elevating the women’s game and holistically supporting athletes.”
The league, co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, is coming off its inaugural season and eyeing expansion in 2027. Ratings were so-so but seem poised to grow in season two, especially if the league makes some intriguing changes.
All 14 players who signed NIL deals will participate in a summit from July 31 to August 2. called “The Future is Unrivaled,” which will include basketball development sessions and player content creation for the league.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.