Unrivaled Viewership.

#51
#51
Wow! Rae just put up 30 pts to clinch the last playoff spot for her team. Hit the game winner in the most Rae way possible, flinging her body and ending up flat on her back on the floor.

I hope like hell Rae stays with the Sparks, but she is really ratcheting up her bank for free agency. I think she’s off her rookie contract now. I’ll bet an expansion team will give her a very good offer.

Breeze playing next, they’re already in playoffs.
 
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#52
#52
Rae deserves a shot at earning some real money. I hope she has a great agent, because it worries me is that while she has a reputation for being resilient and doing whatever it takes to play pro ball, sometimes people like her get taken advantage of because the ones writing the checks feel they can underpay them and they’ll still be grateful. I’ll be sending positive thoughts for Rae. 🤞🏻🤞🏻❤️
 
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#56
#56
Both Rae and Rickea's teams pulled off upsets in the first round of the unrivaled playoffs. Both will be going to Brooklyn Monday night for the Final Four.

They've sort of flipped roles for their teams. Rae has been on an offensive rampage, scoring consistently the best she ever has in her career. Meanwhile, Rickea continues to be in search of her lost shot. Honestly she hasn't shot consistently since the end of the last W season. So Noel Quinn, who's been a really good coach for RJ, asked her to set the tone on defense. Boy did she, completely locking down Chelsea Gray, the likely league MVP.

Especially satisfying for the Breeze win to come over Rose, the defending champs and the team that Angel was bogusly added to. Not gonna lie, my favorite moment perhaps of the whole unrivaled season was when Cam Brink swatted Angels lay up attempt (of course from the hip and while falling down) half way to Cuba.

While I'm at it, Page Beuckers is by far the best young player in the W in a long time. IMO she's a far better, more versatile player then CC. She has been phenomenal in unrivaled and seems to be a joy as a person.
 
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#57
#57
glv98 said:
Both Rae and Rickea's teams pulled off upsets in the first round of the unrivaled playoffs. Both will be going to Brooklyn Monday night for the Final Four.

They've sort of flipped roles for their teams. Rae has been on an offensive rampage, scoring consistently the best she ever has in her career. Meanwhile, Rickea continues to be in search of her lost shot. Honestly she hasn't shot consistently since the end of the last W season. So Noel Quinn, who's been a really good coach for RJ, asked her to set the tone on defense. Boy did she, completely locking down Chelsea Gray, the likely league MVP.

Especially satisfying for the Breeze win to come over Rose, the defending champs and the team that Angel was bogusly added to. Not gonna lie, my favorite moment perhaps of the whole unrivaled season was when Cam Brink swatted Angels lay up attempt (of course from the hip and while falling down) half way to Cuba.

While I'm at it, Page Beuckers is by far the best young player in the W in a long time. IMO she's a far better, more versatile player then CC. She has been phenomenal in unrivaled and seems to be a joy as a person.
Click to expand...
We were talking with some friends last night about what a revelation Paige has been. She is so well-rounded and, honestly, a breath of fresh air with all the oxygen Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark suck up. She seems like a great teammate too. I don't dislike Angel the way some do, but I loathed the mid-season addition. Super unprofessional on the league's part, so I am quite glad her team lost.
 
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#58
#58
glv98 said:
Both Rae and Rickea's teams pulled off upsets in the first round of the unrivaled playoffs. Both will be going to Brooklyn Monday night for the Final Four.

They've sort of flipped roles for their teams. Rae has been on an offensive rampage, scoring consistently the best she ever has in her career. Meanwhile, Rickea continues to be in search of her lost shot. Honestly she hasn't shot consistently since the end of the last W season. So Noel Quinn, who's been a really good coach for RJ, asked her to set the tone on defense. Boy did she, completely locking down Chelsea Gray, the likely league MVP.

Especially satisfying for the Breeze win to come over Rose, the defending champs and the team that Angel was bogusly added to. Not gonna lie, my favorite moment perhaps of the whole unrivaled season was when Cam Brink swatted Angels lay up attempt (of course from the hip and while falling down) half way to Cuba.

While I'm at it, Page Beuckers is by far the best young player in the W in a long time. IMO she's a far better, more versatile player then CC. She has been phenomenal in unrivaled and seems to be a joy as a person.
Click to expand...

I’ve become a huge fan of Bueckers. I have Dallas Wings season tickets for this season, so I’m hoping the negotiations wrap up positively soon.
 
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#61
#61
The games at Barclays last night were spectacular. I'm a sucker for this format. The pace is insane but the spacing still allows for some great cutting and passing. Unfortunately, both games were heartbreaking for our LVFLS.

Rae lost to Kelsey Plum's team after leading much of the game. Plum drove Rae's head into the basket stanchion when she was scoring the winning basket. Rae was down for a minute but was able to walk off under her own power. Rae had an absolutely great unrivaled season. Can't wait to see her back in LA, where I hope she gets to stay.

Rickea had one her best unrivaled games, finally got her shot back, and carried Breeze throughout the first half. They took off to a huge lead and looked so good doing it. But couldn't finish it off. Paige had a bit of an off night, and freaking Arike got in a zone where she was throwing them out her hind quarters and sinking them including the winning shot for Mist. Now she'll miss 48 straight shots.

Obviously the unrivaled season was a roller coaster for Rickea. I think the young, fun, "turnt" breeze was exactly what she needed to come back to. Paige described it as her Safe Place. I noticed her mom was at every game after she came back. Also her Sparks bestie Azura pretty much abandoned the team she got traded to and informally joined Breeze.

On the court Rickea's game has grown by leaps and bounds both as a playmaker and on the defensive end. Had some fantastic assists and blocks. Has to find consistency with her shot and I think she'll be ready to go for the Sparks.

Sparks have to be thrilled with Unriveled. Plum has been outstanding, finished second or third in the MVP voting and will be playing in the Championship Game. Rae and Rickea are locked and loaded and in fantastic game shape already. Hamby had a really solid unrivaled year, and after a slow start Cam Brink was a blocking fool the last few games. Five of the six Sparks participating in Unrivaled made it to the final four.
 
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#71
#71
37620VOL said:
What does the new W contract mean for rookies? Would it begin to make sense for college players to leave early or are they still making more in college?
Click to expand...
Use caution. This is ChatGPT product.

“
Under the new 2026 WNBA CBA, rookie salaries and minimums are significantly increased, with the
rookie minimum set at $270,000. Top draft picks, such as Caitlin Clark, are projected to earn around $530,000 in 2026, with top picks making $500,000+ base salaries. The deal, spanning 7 years through 2032, also introduces a "rookie max" path for elite performers.
ESPN +4
  • Rookie Minimum: $270,000 in 2026.
  • Top Pick Salary (e.g., #1): Approximately $530,000 (projected for 2026).
  • EPIC Rule (Exceptional Performance in Initial Contract): Allows top rookies who make All-WNBA teams to earn higher base salaries.
  • Structure: 2026 rookies (picks 9-15) and second/third-round picks start at the new minimum, increasing over the 7-year deal.”
 
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#72
#72
1reVOLver said:
Use caution. This is ChatGPT product.

“
Under the new 2026 WNBA CBA, rookie salaries and minimums are significantly increased, with the
rookie minimum set at $270,000. Top draft picks, such as Caitlin Clark, are projected to earn around $530,000 in 2026, with top picks making $500,000+ base salaries. The deal, spanning 7 years through 2032, also introduces a "rookie max" path for elite performers.
ESPN +4
  • Rookie Minimum: $270,000 in 2026.
  • Top Pick Salary (e.g., #1): Approximately $530,000 (projected for 2026).
  • EPIC Rule (Exceptional Performance in Initial Contract): Allows top rookies who make All-WNBA teams to earn higher base salaries.
  • Structure: 2026 rookies (picks 9-15) and second/third-round picks start at the new minimum, increasing over the 7-year deal.”
Click to expand...

Wow, pretty big incentive to try to be pick 1-8. The difference is magnified over 7 years of the deal. For example, if you leave a year early and get drafted 10th, you get $270k x7. If you wait a year and get drafted 5th, you could be looking at $400k x7.

The opposite is also true. If you're looking at #5 this year but come back and get injured, you could lose $130k x7. It's a million-dollar difference cast over 7 years into the future.
 
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