Fourteen Top NCAA Women Basketball Players Sign NIL Deals with Unrivaled League

Unrivaled, a professional three-on-three women's basketball league founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, has signed NIL deals with 14 top women's college basketball players, including Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo, UCLA's Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice, LSU's Flau'Jae Johnson and MiLaysia Fulwiley, South Carolina's Ta'Niya Latson, USC's JuJu Watkins, and UConn's Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong. The league, which aims to elevate women's basketball and provide an alternative to overseas play during the WNBA offseason, is investing in current college stars to boost brand awareness and encourage future league participation. Notably, Johnson has renewed her deal but without an equity stake, while others like Paige Bueckers have contracts including ownership interests. These athletes bring impressive credentials, including multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, conference championships, and individual awards, such as Betts being UCLA's first-ever National Defensive Player of the Year. The new deals coincide with Unrivaled's upcoming summit in Miami and continue to reflect the league's commitment to holistically support women athletes and grow the women's basketball game. This wave of signings highlights the growing prominence of NIL opportunities for female college athletes and the increasing professionalization of women's basketball.