Unrivaled creating 850-capacity arena for inaugural season
Unrivaled, the new 3-on-3 women's basketball league, is creating an 850-seat venue in a Miami suburb where teams will begin play in January, it announced Wednesday.
The league said it has signed on with Mediapro North America to convert a nearly 130,000 square-foot space into an all-purpose building with a court and training facility with room for childcare and content creation, as well as a fan zone and office space.
The Miami Herald reported the facility is located in Medley. That area is northwest of downtown Miami and about 8 miles from Miami International Airport.
The fledgling league, created by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, will provide WNBA players with a place to play at a lucrative wage to keep them being forced to play overseas in the offseason to supplement their incomes. The Herald said the average salary reportedly is $200,000, plus equity in the league, for 36 players.
Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever is weighing an offer of $1 million to take one of the few remaining spots, Sports Business Journal reported.
With a media-rights deal in hand from TNT Sports, the league - at least at the outset - apparently will rely on that revenue instead of money from ticket sales in a larger venue to pay the bills. It was unclear whether this facility will be the league's permanent home after the first year.
"We're excited to partner with Mediapro North America and usher in a new era of women's basketball, complemented by an unparalleled player and fan experience," Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell said in a statement.
Mediapro, based in Spain, provides audiovisual production for big sports leagues and events, such as Copa America and La Liga, according to Front Office Sports.
