Start-up league Unrivaled ready to tip off with top WNBA talent

NEW YORK, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Top talent from the WNBA will be on display when the novel 3x3 basketball league Unrivaled tips off on Friday in Miami, meeting the demand from players for more options to play stateside amid surging interest in the women's game.

Players in the top-flight WNBA have long flocked to leagues in Turkey, Russia, China and beyond during the winter off season to supplement their salaries which are much lower than their male counterparts.

But Unrivaled has emerged as an appealing alternative, players told reporters ahead of the debut season, with a reported average salary of $222,222 for the eight-week season and amenities that include on-site childcare.

"With the WNBA not being at the level where we want yet, I will go for the compensation. But I will also go for the best setup for me to thrive as a basketball player and get better," said the German-American two-time All-Star Satou Sabally.

"And as of now, that is Unrivaled - hands down."

The six-team, 36-player league gives another option for players who want to keep their competitive edge for the six-month-long WNBA off-season without traveling abro...
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