Unrivaled Season 2 has kicked off and what did Howard Megdal notice when he was on the ground in Miami this past week? He shares some of his findings with Jackie as the two discuss what the expectations are for this startup league in year 2. What is Unrivaled’s purpose in the women’s basketball space and why might some of those goals be at odds with one another? Breanna Stewart and Kelsey Plum explain what it’s been like playing in Miami while simultaneously hopping on many calls about the WNBA’s on-going CBA negotiations with the players union. Later Howard and Jackie discuss Unrivaled’s ratings and why the dip in viewers was to be expected. And finally, the pair shifts their attention to why the middle class of players are important in the grand scheme of the CBA. Rachel Banaham and Temi Fagbenle provide some insight into the middle class in negotiations along with sharing how they’ve adjusted to Unrivaled as new players in the league. Plus– Dana Evans drops the mic.

0:00 - Introduction

1:37 - #1 at The IX

3:14 - What is Unrivaled’s purpose?

4:08 - Kelsey Plum reflects on navigating Unrivaled and the CBA

7:34 - Breanna Stewart on measuring success

13:17 - Does a ratings dip matter for Unrivaled?

17:42 - Are the goals of Unrivaled at odds with each other?

22:55 - Why the middle class of the WNBA matter

25:06 - Rachel Banham and Temi Fagbenle on Unrivaled and the middle class

32:51 - Dana Evans drops the mic

34:53 - Signing off

Thumbnail Photo Credit: Hannah Kevorkian

Video Credit: Howard Megdal

Links to click that are referenced throughout the show:

Howard writes from being on the ground at Unrivaled:

https://www.theixsports.com/features/an-unrivaled-night-of-moratorium-dana-evans-talks-wnba-cba/

Gabby Alfveby also writes on the ground at Unrivaled:

https://www.thenexthoops.com/features/unrivaleds-first-weekend-delivers-historic-moments/

Alexa Philippou reports on how the middle class could be impacted by the new salary cap being negotiated:

https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/47011671/wnba-cba-negotiations-wnbpa-updates-latest-news