DiJonai Carrington’s recent comments about Unrivaled did little to calm concerns, as WNBA Fans came out largely against the new league and what it could mean for the WNBA. The debate gained traction after @zavanchy shared Carrington’s explanation for why she believes Unrivaled should not be viewed as a threat.
Carrington said, “The [WNBA], I think, is looking at Unrivaled as competition and I don’t understand that,” suggesting that the off-season league gives players more freedom, exposure, and income without hurting the main product. But for many WNBA Fans, that argument missed the point.
“The [WNBA], I think, is looking at Unrivaled as competition and I don’t understand that…”
After speaking on the CBA negotiations, DiJonai Carrington gushes about Unrivaled and why she believes Unrivaled benefits the WNBA and its players. pic.twitter.com/THP3jLnDfh
— zavanté.⋆˙❆ (@zavanchy) December 18, 2025
A common response focused on risk. @echavis wrote, “it benefits the players but not the WNBA. imagine your star player getting hurt playing in a 3v3 pop-up league and now is out….”
That concern showed up repeatedly in the replies, with fans worried that injuries in a side league could directly impact the regular season.
Others questioned the scale and value of Unrivaled itself. @alanbarcoff offered a blunt take, saying, “Unrivaled benefits NOBODY, the WNBA plays to up to 18,000 fans at games, while this crap 3X3 league plays to 800 fans, undermining the forward progress of women’s basketball.”
For many WNBA Fans, smaller crowds and limited reach make the league feel like a step backward.
The pushback isn’t just about dislike for a new idea. It reflects fear of lost momentum at a time when the WNBA is gaining attention, stronger attendance, and broader media coverage. Fans worry that splitting focus sends the wrong message about where the sport should be investing its energy.
While Carrington framed Unrivaled as player-friendly, WNBA Fans largely framed it as league-unfriendly. The gap between those views remains wide, and for now, resistance appears louder than support.
WNBA Fans Tie Unrivaled Debate To Ongoing WNBA Pay and CBA Talks
As talk around Unrivaled continues, WNBA Fans are also connecting it to a much bigger issue: money and long-term security for players. The timing matters, especially with ongoing CBA talks and public comments from league leadership.
@ohnohedidnt24 recently shared a quote from NBA commissioner Adam Silver that added fuel to the discussion.
Silver said, “We’re available to do whatever is necessary to help get a deal done. We acknowledge that our players deserve to be paid significantly more than they have so far based on the increased success of the league and it’s just a question now of finding a meeting of the minds in terms of what is a fair deal. I remain optimistic we’ll get something done.”
Adam Silver on the WNBA CBA negotiations:
“We’re available to do whatever is necessary to help get a deal done. We acknowledge that our players deserve to be paid significantly more than they have so far based on the increased success of the league and it’s just a question now… pic.twitter.com/6GnWRz9JYJ
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) December 17, 2025
For many WNBA Fans, those words sounded hopeful but familiar. Some questioned why progress still feels slow. @kelly_joe72979 pointed out, “The weirdest thing for me is how they added four extra games last season with no extra compensation.”
That comment echoed frustrations about workload versus pay.
Others went further. @CaitlinForThree claimed, “The WNBA got shorted on their tv deal last year. The NBA screwed them over, so now they can’t get paid what they are owed.”
While the wording was harsh, it reflected a common belief among WNBA Fans that financial growth has not kept pace with popularity.
This context shapes how WNBA Fans view Unrivaled. Some see it as leverage for players. Others think it distracts from fixing the core issues within the WNBA.
Right now, WNBA Fans are not choosing sides quietly. Every new league, quote, or deal gets pulled into the same question. How does women’s basketball grow in a way that truly pays off for everyone involved?
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