Reacting to Paige Bueckers’ 3-Year Deal with Unrivaled

The WNBA is changing — and Paige Bueckers is right at the heart of it.

Just days after being selected No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft, Bueckers has made another bold move, signing a 3-year deal with Unrivaled, the newly launched player-driven women’s basketball league founded by WNBA superstars including Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier.

This move? It’s bigger than basketball. It’s about control, visibility, and rewriting the narrative of what it means to be a women’s pro athlete in 2025.

 What is Unrivaled?

For those unfamiliar, Unrivaled is a new women’s basketball league launching in 2025, offering an alternative (and complement) to the WNBA offseason. The league aims to keep top-tier players competing stateside during the winter months — no more long stints overseas just to get paid.

It’s designed to be player-first, high-production, and culturally relevant — combining elite basketball with fan engagement, storytelling, and creative control. Think of it like the WNBA’s version of LIV Golf or Ice Cube’s BIG3 — but for hoopers, by hoopers.

“We wanted to create something where we don’t have to leave home to get what we deserve,”
– Napheesa Collier, co-founder of Unrivaled

 Paige Bueckers’ 3-Year Commitment: What It Means

For Unrivaled, this is massive. For the WNBA, it’s a wake-up call.

And for Bueckers? It’s a power move.

The 3-year deal signals long-term belief in the new model. It’s not just a cameo or offseason experiment — it’s an investment in a different future for women’s basketball. Paige is still locked in with the WNBA (and the Dallas Wings), but this partnership with Unrivaled gives her a platform to play, grow her brand, and stay visible year-round — all without leaving the U.S.

“I’ve always wanted to help push the game forward,” Paige said in the official announcement.
“Unrivaled isn’t just a league — it’s a movement. I’m excited to be part of something this bold.”

 The Business Side: NIL Meets Pro

Bueckers was already a trailblazer in the NIL era, becoming one of the most marketable college athletes ever. She had partnerships with Nike, Gatorade, StockX, and more — all while still at UConn.

Now, as a pro, she’s doubling down on her vision — not just chasing endorsements, but aligning with platforms that empower athletes. Unrivaled is offering players equity, storytelling rights, and creative input — and Paige knows the value of her name, game, and voice.

This deal positions her not just as a player, but as a brand, a stakeholder, and a changemaker.

Bigger Picture: What This Means for Women’s Hoops

This partnership could reshape the calendar and economics of women’s pro basketball:

No more long offseasons with limited exposure.

No more relying on overseas contracts to make a living.

More content, more visibility, more fan access.

And with someone like Paige Bueckers on board, Unrivaled just went from “interesting idea” to “mainstream threat.”

“This is the Paige Effect,” one analyst tweeted.
“When she moves, the culture moves with her.”’

What’s Next?

Bueckers will begin her WNBA rookie season with the Dallas Wings this summer, but her first Unrivaled games will take place this winter as the league officially tips off. Expect big-name matchups, viral moments, and serious competition — plus cameras, content, and a new style of sports storytelling.

This is more than just a signing.

It’s a statement.

Paige Bueckers isn’t just joining the future of women’s basketball — she’s helping build it.