By: Betty Cantley
MIAMI, FLA – Unrivaled Basketball held its Season 2 Media Day on Monday and Tuesday, December 15-16, 2025. The event showcased the league’s rapid maturation, emphasizing high-fashion player-led narratives and the significant expansion of the league’s footprint.
Here are the primary takeaways and highlights from the event:
1. The “Superstar” experience and branding – The league leaned heavily into a high-production, “glam-first” aesthetic to differentiate itself from traditional sports leagues.
• The “Sephora Studio” – In a major brand partnership, players were treated to a professional “glam squad” for hair and makeup, reflecting the league’s focus on professional presentation and player comfort.
• Content Control – Players spoke about the importance of controlling their own narratives. Media Day was less about answering “standard” sports questioning and more about creating social-media-ready content that highlights their individual styles and per-
sonality
2. Strategic Skill Development – New and veteran players highlighted how the 3×3 format is a calculated tool for improving their WNBA performance.
• Perimeter Evolution for Bigs – Top prospects like Kiki Iriafen (Washington Mystics/Phantom BC) noted that the 3×3 setting forces post players to play on the perimeter, which she explicitly stated would help her development for her WNBA season.
• Intensity of 3×3 – Champion Kahleah Copper emphasized that format “forces
competitiveness” because there is nowhere to hide on the court, making it a high-stakes proving ground.
3. Business and CBA Implications with the WNBA: Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in constant focus, players noted the unique business advantage of Unrivaled.
4. The Philadelphia Connection – The announcement of the league’s first “tour stop” in Philadelphia generated significant buzz.
• Emotional Homecoming – Philadelphia native Kahleah Copper (Rose BC) expressed high emotion about finally playing a professional “home game” in front of her family and city fans, something she hasn’t been able to do in her professional career until now.
5. Player Welfare and Recovery – Players like Rickea Jackson spoke positively about the league’s structure, specifically the built-in “Christmas break.” The schedule was praised for giving players enough time to rejuvenate their bodies after a grueling WNBA season before jumping into the high-intensity 3×3 game.
• Roster Note: Injury replacement – It was confirmed during media availability that Tiffany Hayes (Phantom BC) will serve as the injury replacement for Satou Sabally, who is sidelined during the WNBA Finals.