Just seven months after its debut season, the Unrivaled league has announced a significant valuation of $340 million, marking a rapid ascent in the sports industry.
This impressive valuation follows a successful Series B investment round, spearheaded by Bessemer Venture Partners. Notable investors also include Serena Ventures (Serena Williams` venture capital firm), Warner Bros. Discovery, and Trybe Ventures, underscoring the league`s growing appeal and financial backing.
Alex Bazzell, president of Unrivaled, confirmed that the valuation was established through detailed negotiations with Bessemer Venture Partners, highlighting the strategic nature of the league`s financial growth.
Bazzell stated that this valuation and new capital will `expedite Unrivaled`s growth strategy.` He noted that the league significantly surpassed its first-season revenue projections, almost doubling them, which enables a faster progression. The league`s ambitious five-year plan has now been condensed into a three-year roadmap, with a strong focus on athletes in its second year.
Expansion and Player Focus
A portion of the newly acquired funds will be strategically allocated to expanding Unrivaled`s Miami venue. This expansion includes an additional 15,000 square feet for state-of-the-art player facilities, a second dedicated practice court, and 150 extra seats in the game arena, enhancing both player experience and fan capacity.
Player salaries will continue to maintain a six-figure average, with last season`s estimated average reaching an impressive $222,222. Historically, all players received equity in the league. Going forward, equity will be selectively offered to athletes on a case-by-case basis during contract negotiations, ensuring continued alignment with the league`s player-centric philosophy.
Bazzell emphasized the players` pivotal role as `largely majority shareholders,` asserting they will `reap the benefits of these growing valuations, not just receive improved resources.` He highlighted that this approach aligns perfectly with the league`s core ethos, demonstrating its rapid and effective implementation of athlete empowerment.
Diverse Investor Support
This latest round of funding attracted a diverse group of investors, including renowned NBA players Trae Young, Franz Wagner, Moritz Wagner, accomplished sports executive Sam Rapoport, and University of Maryland president Darryll J. Pines.
Unrivaled`s inaugural season also benefited from investments from an array of prominent figures across sports, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Carmelo Anthony, Stephen Curry, Geno Auriemma, Coco Gauff, Dawn Staley, and Michael Phelps, demonstrating broad appeal from athletic luminaries.
Financial Performance and Outlook
The league reportedly generated approximately $30 million in revenue during its first season, a remarkable achievement that significantly exceeded official projections by doubling them. This impressive financial performance is largely attributed to Unrivaled`s multiyear media rights agreement with TNT and major corporate sponsorships from brands like Sephora, Ally, and Under Armour.
League officials also reported robust ticket and merchandise sales, indicating strong fan engagement and a healthy consumer market for Unrivaled products.
Having secured $35 million in initial funding prior to its debut, Unrivaled reportedly came close to breaking even in its first season and is now projected to achieve profitability in its second year, signaling a strong financial trajectory.
Viewership Statistics
Unrivaled garnered an average of 221,000 viewers on TNT and truTV during its inaugural season, with its championship game (between the Rose and Vinyl teams) attracting an impressive 364,000 viewers.
For context, the WNBA averaged over 1 million viewers for 22 regular-season games in its last season, and WNBA games on ION in 2024 averaged 670,000 viewers, marking a substantial 133% increase from the prior season. These figures provide a valuable benchmark for Unrivaled`s viewership in the competitive landscape of professional sports.
