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The thought came to me that a women's professional basketball tournament might make an interesting media play.

I'd schedule for late November to late January.

I'd probably have 2 play groups: 3 on 3 and 1 on 1.

3 on 3 would have 6-8 teams with 1 sub each. 4 rounds, all on weekends. Single elimination with possibility of 1 wild card into second round if opting for 6 teams. Prefer player chosen teams but owner / network decides who to accept and could reshuffle if desired.

Only 1 player 6-3 and over per team. Half court. 24 -30 minute games.

1 on 1 tournament at half-time or alternating weeks. If enough interest 2 divisions, 6-2 and under & 6-3 and over. Sets of 8 or at least 2 sets of 4, if big names are willing. Cancel 1 on 1 if not.
12-20 minute games.

Substantial prize money for participation and winning from network and / or sponsors.

Exact scheduling set up depending on network preferences. Back to back games in one show or not. Constant city or rotating.

Behind the scenes video, match prep and followup. Veteran player (women and possibly men) commentary throughout. Marketing based storyline encouraged.

Players could be WNBA, WNBA draft class, international, or "retired".

Coaches? Maybe, or just captains.

If it works, could be expanded.

Could be WNBA organized or not.

On-going contracts with WNBA or international teams could be an issue but not for everyone and perhaps exceptions could be negotiated in time.

Did not know Unrivaled league was coming.

https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1796153033685975196

3 on 3 is one similarity with my design.


IF people want to watch stars, this is a step in right direction over expansion.

And we'll see if this new league sticks and becomes a long-term rival to WNBA. At 3 on 3 or moving back to 4s or 5s.

Catching up, I see there is already an Athletes Unlimited offering to learn about.

Based in Dallas this next time. Less money involved to date.
I had not heard of them in 2 previous month long "seasons". Apparently had some CBS related TV exposure but now getting on ESPN platforms, along with other AU women's sport leagues.

Unrivaled will be Miami based, own facility, shorter full court, shorter game. Talk of a 1 on 1 mid-season tournament. 2+ months. 30 players.

Media rights still to be sold I hear.

Unrivaled and AU are competing products to some degree. For players, TV carriage, investors / marketing dollars.

Who is around in 2026 or 2027?


Some will still go abroad.

WNBA with a public welcome statement on Unrivaled.

I guess it might help against problems from international leagues.

But... wonder how it goes over time.

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Media deal has not yet been announced.

Media deal still not announced.

About 100-125 days from anticipated tip.

Winter is crowded with other basketball competition, including women's NCAA and the Athletes Unlimited league who already has a media contract and of course playoff football early next year and hockey.

Haven't heard any noise directly from potential bidders. 2 big name rights sellers and no public talk? John Skipper is in the leadership of at least 2 other large commercial projects.

Would think rights expenditure would want / need to be in media company's budget for next year along with staffing fill & prep.

What is the asking price and offers? Simple or a mix of a guaranteed minimum and a variable payment based on viewership. As a network I wouldn't want to go with a high guarantee or many if any years beyond 1 unless attractively priced compared to their own viewership projections.

With or without Caitlin Clark obviously matters lot. No indication of likelihood yet. Will the mania continue or go on hiatus? How much chance is there that she goes to AU and their individual points competition scheme and perhaps a bigger piece of the pie? Does Nike care / take a role in this?

The longer to make a deal, the less time to really market.

An announcement in next 3-5 weeks would be helpful, I'd think if not already sitting on it. If nothing by end of October, that would be suspicious.

I am looking to try to find if their arena is done or near done yet. Finding nothing.



28 minute games? I wonder if that is ideal. Maybe, maybe not.

Not my deal but curious.

If this timeline was optional or fictitious, there likely will be some cost to that. Maybe benefit too if WNBA viewership continues up and offer prices eventually go up and become real.

Only 1 "partner" announced so far and not a huge name.

Founders still playing ball. New Commisioner just recently named. Very little said by investors.

Crow wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2024 1:44 am Media deal still not announced.

About 100-125 days from anticipated tip.

Winter is crowded with other basketball competition, including women's NCAA and the Athletes Unlimited league who already has a media contract and of course playoff football early next year and hockey.

Haven't heard any noise directly from potential bidders. 2 big name rights sellers and no public talk? John Skipper is in the leadership of at least 2 other large commercial projects.

Would think rights expenditure would want / need to be in media company's budget for next year along with staffing fill & prep.

What is the asking price and offers? Simple or a mix of a guaranteed minimum and a variable payment based on viewership. As a network I wouldn't want to go with a high guarantee or many if any years beyond 1 unless attractively priced compared to their own viewership projections. Also I suggest using a virtual credit card from linkpay to make transactions, which will reduce the cost of fees.

With or without Caitlin Clark obviously matters lot. No indication of likelihood yet. Will the mania continue or go on hiatus? How much chance is there that she goes to AU and their individual points competition scheme and perhaps a bigger piece of the pie? Does Nike care / take a role in this?

The longer to make a deal, the less time to really market.

An announcement in next 3-5 weeks would be helpful, I'd think if not already sitting on it. If nothing by end of October, that would be suspicious.

I am looking to try to find if their arena is done or near done yet. Finding nothing.



28 minute games? I wonder if that is ideal. Maybe, maybe not.

Not my deal but curious.

If this timeline was optional or fictitious, there likely will be some cost to that. Maybe benefit too if WNBA viewership continues up and offer prices eventually go up and become real.

Only 1 "partner" announced so far and not a huge name.

Founders still playing ball. New Commisioner just recently named. Very little said by investors.

It seems like there are a lot of unknowns around this deal, from the asking price to potential media bidders and whether Caitlin Clark’s involvement will impact things. The lack of announcements and clarity around timelines adds to the uncertainty. With the media landscape so packed in winter, especially with other sports, it’ll be crucial to get a deal done soon for any meaningful marketing. If nothing happens by the end of October, like you said, it could raise suspicions about the future of this project.

The 1 by 1 unveiling of the players might suggest an announcement stretching into or maybe deep into November.

If I cared I might check the pace of the players announcements but the media deal announcement is 90% of the game.

https://x.com/MikeVorkunov/status/1846598805140934803

TNT gets media deal / invests.

I speculated about it being TNT earlier and think equity was an appropriate goal.

Will Inside the NBA crew be involved? Faces and / or background staff? Whatever.

It is happening.

No expectation that financial terms will be revealed but maybe someday. Relative to new WNBA deal?

Will TNT try something somewhat similar with men's basketball? In the summer or regular season? 3 on 3? (Competing with or absorbing the Big 3?)

10 week season starting in mid-Jan means finishing in late March. Sharing with March Madness? I don't know about the wisdom of that.

What will they do about Coaches, if anything?

First rumor on financials and consideration of it:

https://x.com/JoePompliano/status/1847295070921183432

https://x.com/bballstrategy/status/1847510565276774562

WNBA lost money. What will the first year fiscal report be for Unrivaled?

Different views on early product and ratings for Unrivaled.

Likely with face further challenges and may need changes.