The Unrivaled 1-on-1 Tournament got off to a rollicking start in Miami on Monday night as 16 athletes faced off against one another in pursuit of a $200,000 prize.
No matter how many WNBA games you attend during the regular season, it’s extremely unlikely you’ll find yourself in an intimate, 850-seat venue filled with some of the game’s biggest stars. The core of what makes Unrivaled special is communicated in being physically seated at Wayfair Arena and taking it all in.
Lisa Leslie, who looks as if she just retired yesterday, walking toward her seat. Brittney Griner and her wife Cherelle, with baby Bash strapped to her chest, joining friends toward the back of the stands. Courtney Williams and her dad sitting courtside, critiquing every player before her own match on Tuesday evening. Teresa Weatherspoon shouting encouragement to her athletes on the floor. Aliyah Boston sticking around after her own game to yell at refs (“It’s one-on-one!” was a frequent, frustrated refrain).
These are moments that can’t happen at a another basketball. It’s impossible. But that’s what Unrivaled has managed to pull off spectacularly. There are a lot of new fans to women’s basketball, some of whom have had a lot to say the last few years, but Unrivaled is rewarding for…
