Caitlin Clark reportedly turned down an offer to appear in Unrivaled last week, a new three-on-three women’s basketball league. Even without Clark, however, founders Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier have managed to prepare the star-studded league for a promising debut in January.

Unrivaled has already announced its roster of 34 players, leaving two “Wild Card” spots unfilled. The league will feature six teams of six players and host games in Miami for nine weeks from January to March.

Because of the addition of the Wild Card spots, as well as Indiana Fever star Aliyah Boston’s commitment to play, some speculated that Clark might be swayed into competing. After completing an extremely busy 2024 slate, in which she competed in her final NCAA Tournament before leading the Fever to the WNBA Playoffs, it seems that Clark is taking time to rest before next season. Unrivaled officials said that they would leave an open invitation for Clark, however, which could allow her to change her mind in the near future.

While Clark may be absent from the six-team league, Stewart and Collier can still boast a staggering number of talented players suiting up for Unrivaled’s inaugural season. Kelsey Plum, Brittney Griner, Courtney Vandersloot and Angel Reese have all been rostered, along with many other WNBA players. UConn star and presumptive first-overall pick Paige Bueckers has already signed an NIL deal with the league and is scheduled to make her debut in 2026.

Stewart and Collier have had a busy year organizing Unrivaled, which aims to raise the standards for women’s basketball while capitalizing on the sport’s growing presence in the media landscape. Players in the league are set to earn record-breaking salaries, including an unprecedented six-figure guarantee and prize money for winning a mid-season tournament. Players participating in the first season will also receive temporary equity in the organization. 

Countless celebrity investors have taken part in a massive fundraising effort, and the league has recruited a number of industry insiders to secure broadcasting rights with TNT and TruTV, as well as a streaming deal with Max. 

New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart is already looking further ahead to the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. Stewart’s dreams for the L.A. 2028 Olympics reflect her ambitions and the collective excitement of Team USA to perform on home soil.

Stewart currently has her eyes on performing well in the Paris Olympics and being able to use it as a milestone to be able to focus on the L.A. 2028.

“Yeah, I mean, I think L.A. 2028, honestly, it’s crazy that we’re like talking about these things and that we’re in 2024, but to have the Olympics be back on U.S. soil, I think is something that I could speak for all Team USA we’re really excited about and want to make sure that we do our best in Paris in 2024. So then we can focus on that,” Stewart said.

For Stewart, the excitement of performing at home in 2028 is already a source of inspiration for Team USA as they prepare for Paris. The upcoming games in Paris are important steps in building momentum and setting the stage for L.A. 2028 Olympics.

“We want to make sure that we do our best in Paris in 2024,” Stewart said.

The Las Vegas Aces edged past the New York Liberty 70-69 Wednesday night to win the WNBA Finals in four games. Aces star A’ja Wilson was named Finals MVP after averaging 21 points and 12.5 rebounds over the course of the series.

“This is a moment that we need to celebrate,” Wilson said. “Not a lot of people get a chance to do it, and for us to do it short-handed is truly amazing. It just makes this win that much better. I’m going to get choked up … this s— wasn’t easy.”

The matchup between the Aces and Liberty was one of the most highly anticipated in the history of the WNBA, a series contested between a budding dynasty and the league’s newest super team. The Aces, champions in 2022, were led by Wilson, with Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray playing key roles alongside her. The Liberty made headlines during the offseason when the team assembled a big three of Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart and Courtney Vandersloot. New York lived up to the hype, breezing through the Eastern Conference on the way to the Finals.

The Liberty fell behind in the best-of-five series 2-0 but won Game 3 to get back into contention. In Game 4, Ionescu was seen throwing up behind the bench but later re-entered the game and went on to score 13 points. As the game came to a close, however, New York had a chance to win and extend the series when Stewart, the league’s MVP, got the ball in the corner just before the buzzer. She did not hit the rim, wrapping up a quiet 10-point night that likely cost the team the game.

“I put the ball in the hands of the MVP because we trust her. And it just didn’t work out today,” Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello said after the game. “It ended up with Breanna at the end, so it was just her trying to make a play from there. So, I [would] still do it again. That’s the right call.”

Because the Aces got to celebrate their win on the Liberty’s home court, Aces guard Plum got the opportunity to embrace her husband, New York Giants star tight end Darren Waller, after the game. Waller is not the Aces’ only connection to the NFL, as Tom Brady was officially named a minority owner in the team earlier this month.

Because both teams are expected to maintain much of their cores going forward, it’s likely that the Aces and Liberty will remain forces in the WNBA for years to come. Both teams boast stars that have come to define the league at an important point in its history. With women’s basketball gaining more attention in recent years and young stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese soon arriving from college, this could be the beginning of a new high-profile era for the sport.

The U.S. women’s basketball team routed Australia on Wednesday to advance to the Olympics semi-finals.

Last month in Las Vegas, the Aussies stunned the Americans in an exhibition game, making a huge second-half comeback to pull an upset win. That surprise win gave a hint that this game could go either way, but it did not.

Breanna Stewart played the best Olympic game of her career, scoring 20 of her 23 points in the first half to help the Americans gain a wide lead that never faltered. Stewart made 7-of-8 shots in the first half and dished out two assists. She was the floor general for the team during the first half. In the first 20 minutes of the game, she helped on defense, finishing with five rebounds, two steals and one block.

“Knowing this was the knockout stage, we wanted to be our best,” Stewart said after the game. “I’m just trying to make the right play, I’m just doing what I’m supposed to do and do my job, and today the shots went in.”

The American defense played a huge role in their 79-55 quarterfinal win. Australia, which entered the tournament as the No. 2-ranked team in the world behind Team USA, committed 15 turnovers in the first half alone. The U.S. had seven steals in the first half, pushed for a 21 point lead.

“It was a very focused and aggressive U.S. team today,” said Australia coach Sandy Brondello, who also coaches the Phoenix Mercury. “We like to say [with the Mercury], ‘We have Diana Taurasi, and you don’t.’ Well, the U.S. can say ‘We have Breanna Stewart, and you don’t.'”

In the second half, U.S. center Brittney Griner went to work. Australia was without star center Liz Cambage, who withdrew from the team in July, citing anxiety issues after an incident in an exhibition game against Nigeria. Griner used Cambahe’s absence to her advantage. Griner scored 10 of her 15 points in the third quarter to make sure there was no second-half rally like in their previous meeting.

The win extended the U.S. Women’s Basketball team Olympic winning streak to 53 games. The team will play Serbia next, who upset China, in Friday’s semifinals.

The U.S. Women’s Basketball Team is virtually untouchable in international competition, topping Nigeria 81-72. The win marks the 50th straight Olympic victory for the squad. The last time the team was not the victor in one of their games was the semifinals of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

Nigeria’s roster was strong, loaded with U.S. college talent. The Nigerian squad was even ahead at the end of the first quarter by three points and extended their lead in the second quarter to 25-20. Part of this run was due to the American squad’s constant turnovers; they finished with 12 in the first half alone.

The United States quickly took over, though, putting up 23 straight points. Breanna Stewart recorded seven of these 23 points. By the time the scoring run was over, the U.S. was ahead 70-50 at the end of the third quarter.

Nigeria would eventually go on a 12-0 run, but their offensive burst was quickly stymied by the U.S. The win, interestingly, is the smallest margin of victory for the United States since the 2004 Olympic semifinals.

The U.S. plays its next game against Japan on July 30.

Seattle Storm superstar Breanna Stewart has signed a multi-year shoe deal with Puma.

The deal will guarantee Stewart the creation and release of her own signature shoe. Stewart will become the first WNBA player with her own signature shoe in the last decade, and only the 10th WNBA player to have her own signature shoe. The deal was announced early Wednesday.

Stewart’s shoe deal comes as the star is experiencing immense success in her career. Stewart has played in four seasons so far and already has several accolades. Stewart won the Rookie of The Year award and was named to the All-WNBA Second Team and All-WNBA Second Defensive Team. In her third season, she won her first WNBA title and WNBA Finals MVP with Seattle. Unfortunately, the power forward missed the 2019 season because of an Achilles injury. Last season, the power forward came back and won her second WNBA Title and second WNBA Finals MVP.

Regarding her new shoe deal with Puma, Stewart was excited about it. “Anytime you hear signature, I think that’s jaw-dropping, eye-opening, especially on the women’s side,” Stewart told ESPN. “There haven’t been many. … For Puma to be able to put the signature element out there, [and] respect me enough where they think that I deserve a signature shoe, is super exciting.”

The reigning WNBA champion spoke more about it with Boardroom host Nick DePaula.

“Obviously, I was honored that they would offer that, and now I’m just excited for what’s to come,” Stewart said. “Hopefully, we can make a really dope shoe that a lot of people will like — male, female  young, old, basketball, non-basketball type of thing.”

Puma hopes that the deal with the WNBA star will have other companies make deals with other WNBA stars and elevate the league and recognition for the players.

“Having me on their team was a big priority for them, and for me to be a part of the family, I’m just really excited,” the WNBA star said. “I’m excited to get the respect that women’s basketball deserves and bring that to a whole other level and ballgame.”

Stewart’s signature deal is currently in development and will be expected to be developed in about 12-18 months. It’s currently in the development phase where the All-Star has to come up with a design, but Stewart already has an idea of her shoe. “[It is] definitely going to be a low top,” she outlined. “Going to have a cushion for the Achilles, and all the people in the Achilles family. Then, I was thinking, ‘Oh, maybe I can make it eco-friendly.’ … It’s going to be exciting. I think that cool colorways are definitely going to come. Something where you can rock it on and off the court.”

Seattle Storm star Breanna Stewart proposed to her girlfriend, former Phoenix Mercury guard Marta Xargay, at Papago Park in Phoenix on Sunday.

The moment was captured and shared by the Storm on Twitter. “Ring season continues!” the tweet read.

The tweet’s caption is a reference to the team’s recent WNBA Championship victory. Stewart led the team to a WNBA championship win by sweeping the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA finals last season. It was Stewart’s second championship, and she was named the WNBA Finals MVP for the second time in her career.

Xargay is a Spanish guard who has played in Europe since 2016. Xargay had spent two seasons playing with the Mercury in 2015-2016 before opting to not return to the WNBA. Since then, she has played in Europe with different teams and has achieved success. Xargay won the Spanish Cup Championship three times with CB Avenida and two Spanish League championships as well. Furthermore, Xargay helped USK Praha win three Czech league championships from 2016-2018.

Stewart’s Storm is scheduled to take on the Mercury in a preseason game on Saturday, a week ahead of their May 15 regular-season tipoff. After three seasons away from the Mercury, Xargay is on the preseason roster for Phoenix. The Spaniard has a chance to make it to the main roster and return to the WNBA again.

The ESPYs are always entertaining, and very often predictable, but this year the Best Female Athlete took me by surprise.  Serena Williams was not even included in the running for best athlete, how could this be when she was named Sportsperson of the Year by Sports Illustrated in December 2015 for having won three major titles and the oldest player to be ranked number one in women’s tennis during the Open Era. She is also known as one of the most powerful athletes of this generation. I’m confused.

Of the four nominees, Katie Ledecky, Simone Biles, Breanna Stewart and Elena Delle Donne, Della Donne was the one that could have been weeded out.

Ledecky is an Olympic gold medalist, nine time world champion and the current record-holder in the 400, 800 and 1500 meter freestyle, and holds the fastest ever times in 500, 1000 and 1650-yard freestyle.  She has broken eleven world records.

Biles is a three-time world all-around champion, and is the first woman to win three consecutive world all-around titles. She holds 10 gold medals at the World Championships which is the most golds won by a female gymnast in the history of the World Championships.

Delle Donne was the 2015 WNBA MVP averaging a league high 23.4 points per game and shot 95 percent from the free throw line.  She will be competing in Rio this summer with the women’s national basketball team.

Stewart did win nearly every basketball award possible this past year. ‘Stewie’ has won four national championships, one this past year, went as the first pick in the 2016 WNBA draft, Naismith player of the year award, Wade Trophy, John R. Wooden Award and made the women’s national team to represent in Rio. She finished her career as UConn’s all-time leading scorer with 2,676 career points and 414 career blocks.

Serena Williams at 34 years old is ranked No. 1 in women’s singles tennis. According to Forbes Williams was the highest paid female athlete in the past 12 months raking in $28.9 million in prize money and endorsements. Accolades are great, but Williams is the real deal.

Williams is second only to Steffi Graf in number of consecutive weeks to hold a No. 1 rank, and has tied Graf with Open Era Grand Slam titles.  If Williams would have won four Slams in a calendar year then perhaps she would have been nominated? She certainly beats out Delle Donne regardless.

We can’t underestimate politics in the selection process. Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason why someone is selected, we can only surmise. Williams has been the recipient of Best Female Athlete Award at the ESPYs’ in 2003 and 2013.  She has also won Best Female Tennis Player eight times. Maybe they figured they should share the wealth, but you need to give credit where it is due.

In Stewart’s acceptance she referred to the difference between men’s and women’s media coverage and fame in sports. “I’m trying to understand why we, as professional female athletes don’t receive anywhere near the fame,” she said.

Williams draws as big of a crowd as Roger Federer does.

In comparison to the other three Delle Donne hasn’t done anything ground-breaking this year and Williams deserved to have been nominated.

Breanna Stewart also took home Best College Female Athlete, but even in this category she was among some extremely talented athletes.

Raquel Rodriguez is a decorated soccer player from Penn State.  In 2015 she led her team to win the NCAA Championship, and just two of her most prestigious personal achievements were the Mac Hermann Trophy Winner and TopDrawerSoccer Player of the Year. She now plays for the Sky Blue FC in the National Women’s Soccer League.

Samantha Bricio is a volleyball stand out from USC, and the youngest player to play for the Mexican National team. She was Volleyball Magazine Player of the Year.

Taylor Cummings from the University of Maryland’s lacrosse team and won two of the last four NCAA championships. Sierra Romero playing both shortstop and second baseman for the Michigan Wolverines.  She is the only player in college softball history to score over 300 runs in her career.