00:02On the second night of March, there was no mistaking the energy inside the Barclays Center.
00:07From the opening tip, the building felt different. Unrivaled brought its semifinals to New York City
00:12for the first time, and Brooklyn responded. For one night, women's basketball wasn't just part
00:19of the sports conversation. It was the main event. From Liberty loyalists to first-time
00:25viewers discovering the league, the building was full long before tip-off. For sports content
00:30creator Gigi Spear, the difference is clear. I think the nature of it being a players-founded
00:36league is just evident in every aspect, from how the players feel being here, how the fans feel
00:42connected, and even the engagement on social media and non-traditional media platforms. I feel like
00:49it's just so obvious that it's created by players, for players too, but definitely for the fans.
00:54Year two of Unrivaled feels bigger, louder, and more confident. After stops in Miami and
01:00Philadelphia, Brooklyn delivered another statement. It feels like I'm watching hoops at the park,
01:07in the rec center, like real streetball. This has the streetball essence to it, and the women go
01:13hard. Don't get it twisted. But this night wasn't just about basketball. It unfolded against a
01:20significant backdrop. Ongoing labor negotiations in the WNBA, with the potential work stoppage looming.
01:27New York Post women's sports reporter Madeline Kenney says that reality has only heightened the
01:32importance of leagues like Unrivaled. Unrivaled was so paramount in changing the women's basketball
01:37landscape, because for years WNBA players would have to go overseas to supplement their income
01:42during the offseason. But because of Unrivaled, at least more than 40 players now this season have
01:47the opportunity to stay stateside, continue to build their brand, and then also build their game.
01:53And the product has been better in year two than year one. It continues to grow. There's momentum behind
01:58this, and we were seeing it here tonight in Brooklyn specifically, but also in Philly when they took
02:02it on the road earlier this season. So, I mean, Unrivaled is changing the landscape in the sense that
02:07it is giving more players the opportunity to stay stateside, and then also have more visibility during
02:13the WNBA offseason. The game has changed for professional women's basketball players. Now Unrivaled,
02:19an independent venture-backed league, is giving them options and potentially leverage. Having a VC-backed
02:26league shows that people are investing in it, and then fans are obviously coming through to watch
02:30it too. So, it shows a lot of leverage when they go into WNBA, CBA negotiations.
02:34Oh, it undoubtedly gives them leverage, because they can show, they can organize. That's the one thing
02:39about these women. They will organize, and they can make something shape. So, the owners are going to
02:45have to get their money up, not their funny up. Because mess around, and this same crew could probably put
02:50on a five-on-five league in the summer. It could happen. They'll get the financial backing, trust me.
02:56There's tons of money out there waiting to be thrown at women's hoops, and I do think they deserve it.
03:02So, hopefully they come to a resolution, because I'd love to see WNBA hoops. But you owners better
03:08open your purse, open your wallet, get it popping, because dames messing around.
03:12The product on the court is one that has fans really excited here at the Barclays Center,
03:18a raucous Barclays Center where over 18,000 fans turned out yet to sell out here in New York for
03:24the first time unrivaled coming to the Big Apple. And the hope is that that excitement can not only
03:29help grow the sport of women's basketball, but also help the growth of women's sports in America.
03:35The momentum behind women's sports is incredible. And so, to see all these opportunities that are
03:39like coming up, and to see women making like real money at playing, being as professional athletes,
03:44and getting equitable shares like the men's athletes have had in leagues for decades now,
03:49you know, it's really, it's really awesome to, to have the opportunity to chronicalize that,
03:53you know, and cover that type of history, because it does feel like we are at this like inflection
03:57point in women's sports, and it's a pinnacle moment, and it's exciting to like feel the momentum
04:03behind it, and all the excitement and energy. I think women's sports can definitely become
04:07more recognized and like bigger than it already is, because we are still seeing athletes be like
04:14disrespected in front of like the world, and um, I just think it could be bigger than it already is,
04:21but we're getting there. All the WNBA players really helped to bring it, you know, to our attention,
04:29and they, they work so hard, and they play so well, and they deserve everything.
04:36Among the fans soaking it all in, Grammy-nominated rapper Tiara Wack.
04:41Listen, pay these women what they, listen, pay them their worth, that's it, that's it.
04:45We, we, we need way more than we are getting right now. Yeah, you gotta pay women, pay women.
04:49Year two of the league has seen sellout crowds, national attention, and player empowerment.
04:54Whether WNBA negotiations end in resolution or delay, one thing felt clear inside the Barclays Center.
05:02Women's sports aren't waiting for permission to grow. They're doing it in real time.
05:08Reporting in Brooklyn, New York for New York Post Sports, I'm Dexter Henry.
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