Unrivaled League Smashes Attendance Record in Philadelphia Debut
The Unrivaled women's professional 3-on-3 basketball league made a triumphant first foray outside its Florida base on Friday night, staging a doubleheader in Philadelphia that shattered attendance records and reignited the city's passion for women's sports.
A Historic Homecoming for Philadelphia
For the first time in nearly 30 years, professional women's basketball returned to Philadelphia, with the Unrivaled league's touring gamble paying off spectacularly. A record-breaking crowd of 21,490 fans packed the arena, surpassing the previous regular-season women's basketball attendance record of 20,711 set in the WNBA in September 2024.
The atmosphere was electric, particularly for Philadelphia native Natasha Cloud, who took to the same court where her childhood idol Allen Iverson once dazzled. "Man, like how crazy it is that I'm standing here about to play for the first time professionally in my home city," Cloud reflected, visibly moved by the significance of the moment.
Star-Studded Performances and Celebrity Support
The record-setting crowd witnessed two thrilling contests. In the opening game, Kelsey Plum led Phantom BC to a 71-68 victory over the Breeze with 22 points. The nightcap saw Marina Mabrey deliver a spectacular 47-point performance – an Unrivaled league high – to propel the Lunar Owls to an 85-75 win over the league champion Rose.
The celebrity turnout underscored the event's significance, with appearances from:
- Good Morning America host Robin Roberts
- Philadelphia 76ers guard Kyle Lowry
- Comedians Leslie Jones and Wanda Sykes
Cloud made a political statement during her introduction, holding an "Abolish Ice" sign as she received a roaring ovation from the capacity crowd.
Philadelphia's Basketball Renaissance
Philadelphia's rich basketball heritage has traditionally been dominated by male stars – from Wilt Chamberlain and Kobe Bryant's formative years in the area to Sixers legends like Julius Erving and Joel Embiid. The last professional women's game in the city dated back to 1998 when the Philadelphia Rage played in the now-defunct American Basketball League.
Philly native and basketball icon Dawn Staley, who attended Friday's doubleheader, has long carried the torch for women's basketball in the region. However, the absence of a professional women's team has left a significant void in the city's sporting landscape.
"I think the city is ready for women's professional sports," said Kahleah Copper, the 2021 WNBA Finals MVP who played tour guide for her teammates, taking them to Dalessandro's Steaks and securing 64 tickets for the event. "I'm excited that, one, that it's here, and two, that I'm a part of it."
Growing Pains Amidst Expansion
The Philadelphia success story comes at a crucial juncture for the Unrivaled league, which has experienced television rating challenges in its second season. Broadcasts on TNT and truTV are averaging 92,000 viewers, representing a 49% decline from last year's comparable period.
Primetime Unrivaled telecasts on TNT are drawing 68% fewer viewers than the network's programming in the four weeks preceding the league's season. These figures highlight the importance of live attendance and community engagement as the league seeks to establish its long-term viability.
Cloud, however, focused on the tangible evidence of success surrounding her: "how hot, booming, [in-]demand, that women's sports, women's basketball in general is, right now."
Community Impact and Future Prospects
Unrivaled players engaged extensively with the Philadelphia community throughout their visit, participating in events that particularly resonated with young female basketball fans. The overwhelming response revealed a city starved for professional women's basketball representation.
"To see the turnout, to see the sold-out arena, to just see the love that they have for women's sports, it means a lot for the future too in terms of getting a WNBA team," said Paige Bueckers, the 2021 AP Player of the Year who now plays for the Breeze.
The league's Philadelphia experiment demonstrated significant commercial potential, with secondary market ticket prices matching those of recent Philadelphia 76ers games. This success could prompt more touring dates, as suggested by Unrivaled CEO Alex Bazzell during a brief appearance in the press room.
"We're going to continue to make the sports world proud by the product we put out," Bazzell declared, hinting at future expansion of the touring model.
A Watershed Moment for Women's Basketball
The Philadelphia doubleheader represents more than just a successful event – it marks a potential turning point for both the Unrivaled league and women's professional basketball in the city. With Philadelphia planning a new arena slated for completion around 2030 to house an incoming WNBA franchise, Friday's record attendance provides compelling evidence of the market's readiness.
As Breeze forward Cameron Brink observed: "I would love to see Unrivaled tour more often. We saw that this is a city that wants to cheer on women's basketball." Brink herself provided an inspirational moment, dunking in practice for the first time since suffering a torn ACL in June.
The Unrivaled league's Philadelphia debut has demonstrated that taking women's professional basketball on the road can generate unprecedented excitement, build new fan bases, and potentially recalibrate the business model for emerging women's sports leagues.
