In an explosive statement that is rocking the world of women’s professional basketball, Napheesa Collier, one of the co-founders of the struggling Unrivaled league, has openly blamed Angel Reese for the league’s disastrous viewership numbers. Collier also made a surprising plea for Caitlin Clark, the WNBA sensation, to join Unrivaled and help save the league. This unfiltered declaration has set the basketball world ablaze, sparking a firestorm of reactions from fans, analysts, and players alike.
In an interview that has sent shockwaves through social media, Napheesa Collier, alongside other Unrivaled executives, pointed fingers directly at Angel Reese for the league’s lackluster performance. “Angel Reese is the reason Unrivaled isn’t getting the viewership it deserves,” Collier stated. “We put everything into building this league, but without the stars and the engagement, it’s just not working.”
While Collier’s comment has fueled plenty of debate, it’s clear that frustration is boiling over at Unrivaled’s inability to capture the same level of excitement that Caitlin Clark has been generating in the WNBA. While Reese has undeniably built a name for herself, Unrivaled has failed to turn her into the powerhouse player that the league needed to drive its success.
One fan responded to Collier’s remarks by saying, “This feels like a scapegoat moment. If the league isn’t thriving, maybe it’s because the product isn’t as competitive as it needs to be, not because of one player.” Fans have quickly pointed out that Unrivaled’s struggles are more about systemic issues within the league, such as low viewership, weak marketing strategies, and inadequate support for players, rather than the actions of one player, Angel Reese.
In the same interview, Collier dropped another bombshell, openly asking Caitlin Clark to join Unrivaled. “We’ve built something special, and Caitlin could help make it extraordinary. There’s always a spot for her in Unrivaled,” Collier said, her desperation palpable.
This plea is the latest attempt by Unrivaled to attract Clark to their ranks. For months now, the league has tried to capture the attention of Clark, one of the most marketable and dominant players in women’s basketball. But the response has been nothing short of lukewarm. Clark has made it clear that her focus remains on her career in the WNBA, where she continues to break records and set new benchmarks for the sport.
But Collier’s comments only add fuel to the fire. It’s evident that Unrivaled is struggling to fill the void left by Clark’s absence. “Caitlin Clark is the reason for the hype. Without her, this league just doesn’t have the same draw,” said one fan, underscoring the growing frustration from Unrivaled’s inability to create its own stars rather than relying on Clark to pull them out of the abyss.
What Collier fails to recognize is that Caitlin Clark’s value isn’t simply tied to her on-court performance—she’s an international icon, a cultural phenomenon, and her move to Unrivaled could risk her reputation. “Caitlin doesn’t need Unrivaled,” said a former WNBA player. “She’s already built her legacy in the WNBA. Joining Unrivaled would only take away from her accomplishments, not add to them.”
Meanwhile, Unrivaled continues to struggle with poor viewership and a crumbling brand. Despite pushing hard to sell their product, the league’s ratings are a far cry from the success that the WNBA has achieved with Clark as its centerpiece.
Just recently, Unrivaled experienced a massive blow as they had to cancel a game due to a lack of healthy players. “How does that even happen? A professional league can’t keep its players healthy, and now it’s literally running out of bodies,” a fan pointed out.
The Unrivaled league has struggled to make a name for itself in a crowded sports market. What began as a promising off-season alternative to the WNBA has quickly become a cautionary tale about the importance of creating a strong, competitive league. The viewership numbers for Unrivaled are abysmal, and their attempts to fill arenas have been met with a resounding lack of interest.
This latest drama only serves to further expose the cracks within Unrivaled. It’s clear that they are relying heavily on Clark’s name recognition to bolster their reputation, but the question remains—why would Clark, a rising star in the WNBA, leave a league that is growing and thriving, just to be part of a league that is clearly struggling?
“Caitlin Clark is building a dynasty in the WNBA. Why would she leave that to play for a league that’s on the brink of collapse?” one social media user asked.
While Unrivaled continues to make desperate moves, from signing aging veterans to constantly marketing Clark, it’s unclear if their tactics will work. The league is failing to establish itself as a serious competitor to the WNBA. Instead of focusing on creating a sustainable league, Unrivaled is fixated on one player—Caitlin Clark—who has shown little interest in joining.
The league’s attempt to recruit Clark now, while still trying to create a competitive environment, might be too little, too late. The WNBA has its star, and Unrivaled is still desperately trying to find theirs.
