Episode Summary: "Unrivaled is Changing Women’s Basketball with Clare Duwelius"
Podcast: No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
Hosts: Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, and Ben Pickman
Episode Release Date: November 22, 2024
Guest: Clare Duwelius, GM and Executive Vice President of Unrivaled
Introduction to Unrivaled and Clare Duwelius’ New Role
The episode kicks off with host Zena Keita welcoming listeners to No Offseason, The Athletic’s dedicated show for women’s basketball enthusiasts. In this special episode, Zena and co-host Ben Pickman introduce Clare Duwelius, who has recently transitioned from her long-standing role with the Minnesota Lynx to become the General Manager (GM) and Executive Vice President (EVP) of Unrivaled, an innovative 3-on-3 winter basketball league featuring prominent WNBA stars.
Notable Quote:
"It’s a really collaborative team. I love all the people I've met so far because they have the same hungry energy that I do and wanting to make this really special for the players."
— Clare Duwelius [07:20]
Unrivaled: A New Frontier in Women’s Basketball
Clare delves into how Unrivaled emerged as an exciting opportunity post the 2024 WNBA season. She highlights the league’s unique structure and its mission to provide year-round basketball opportunities for players, ensuring continuous development and engagement.
Key Points:
- League Structure: Unrivaled operates as a 3-on-3 winter league, capitalizing on the growing popularity of half-court basketball formats observed in events like the Paris Olympics.
- Player Focus: The league emphasizes player development, offering athletes a platform to hone their skills, work on their nutrition, and balance their personal lives with professional growth.
- Collaborative Environment: Clare underscores the importance of a player-centric approach, ensuring that decisions prioritize athlete well-being and development.
Notable Quote:
"As long as I've been involved in professional sports, something that's been of paramount importance to me is the player experience and also like being player centric."
— Clare Duwelius [11:10]
Team Formation and Player Equity
A significant aspect of Unrivaled is its innovative team formation process and the introduction of player equity within the league’s framework.
Team Formation: Clare explains the meticulous process behind assembling balanced teams, ensuring parity and competitive balance. Coaches participated in drafting players without initially knowing their assigned teams, fostering an environment of fairness and strategic team building.
Player Equity: All players in the inaugural season receive equity stakes in the league, a pioneering move aimed at empowering athletes financially and giving them a vested interest in Unrivaled’s success.
Notable Quote:
"It is run by the players, it is for the players. All the success and interest boom is because they're spectacular."
— Clare Duwelius [11:10]
Impact on WNBA and Broader Basketball Ecosystem
Clare discusses how Unrivaled complements the WNBA by serving as a developmental platform, akin to the NBA’s G League. This symbiotic relationship is expected to elevate the overall standard of women’s basketball by providing continuous competitive play and fostering talent growth.
Key Points:
- Talent Evaluation: WNBA front offices can utilize Unrivaled to scout emerging talent and evaluate players in a competitive setting.
- Player Development: The league serves as a space for athletes to refine their skills, which in turn benefits their performance in the WNBA.
- Coaching Development: Unrivaled is also investing in the growth of coaches, preparing the next generation of leadership in women’s basketball.
Notable Quote:
"We have like the best players that are playing in the W featured in our league... It’s going to be a revolving door just because you can't deny wanting to see all of the great basketball that's going to be played in our league."
— Clare Duwelius [09:22]
League Sustainability and Future Expansion
Clare outlines the strategic plans for Unrivaled’s sustainability and potential expansion. With a strong foundation built on player equity and a commitment to high-caliber talent, the league aims to establish itself firmly within the basketball ecosystem.
Sustainability:
- TV Partnerships: Unrivaled has secured a multi-year broadcast deal with major networks like TNT, TruTV, and Max, ensuring widespread visibility and financial stability.
- Fan Engagement: The league is focusing on creating an engaging product for fans, featuring high-paced games, strategic storytelling, and interactive experiences.
Expansion Plans: While Unrivaled currently operates with six teams and two wild card spots, there is an openness to future expansion based on league growth and demand.
Notable Quote:
"Getting the best players, getting the highest level of talent so that our product remains elite... It's a good incentive for players to perform and work their way into some of those coveted spots."
— Clare Duwelius [22:21]
Team Composition and Player Roles
The hosts and Clare discuss the strategic composition of teams, emphasizing versatility and balanced skill sets essential for successful 3-on-3 play. The league categorizes players into different pools—guards, wings, and bigs—to ensure diverse and competitive teams.
Key Points:
- Balanced Rosters: Each team aims to have a mix of positions, avoiding over-concentration in any single role to maintain game balance.
- Player Pools: Players are grouped into pools based on their playing style and position versatility, allowing coaches to build well-rounded teams.
Notable Quote:
"We are really great listeners to the players... How do you want this to look, feel like, exist?"
— Clare Duwelius [12:46]
Fan Experience and Viewing Options
Clare highlights the dual approach to fan engagement—both in-person and through television broadcasts. With a state-of-the-art facility in Miami accommodating a limited number of spectators, the league ensures an intimate and high-quality viewing experience, complemented by extensive TV coverage for wider accessibility.
Key Points:
- In-Person Experience: Limited to around 850 spectators per game, focusing on creating an immersive and interactive environment.
- Television Broadcasts: Games are broadcast on TNT, TruTV, and Max, offering multiple viewing windows and high production value to attract a broad audience.
Notable Quote:
"The cameras are going to be really close, the access we're going to see in terms of interviews and sound, all that stuff is going to be at a really high level."
— Ben Pickman [32:59]
Looking Ahead: Inaugural Season and Beyond
As the conversation wraps up, Clare shares exciting news about the upcoming season’s ticket sales and broadcasting schedule. Unrivaled is set to launch on January 17th, running through March 17th, with final competitions anticipated to culminate in a prestigious championship event.
Key Points:
- Ticket Sales: Pre-sales have been explosive, with tickets selling out within minutes, indicating strong demand and enthusiasm.
- Broadcast Schedule: Games will air consistently, ensuring fans can follow the action throughout the season.
Notable Quote:
"We've had a wonderful time talking to Claire, breaking down that conversation... It’s going to be really exciting."
— Zena Keita [27:18]
Conclusion
The episode concludes with hosts Zena Keita and Chantel Jennings reflecting on the promising future of Unrivaled. They emphasize the league’s player-centric model, strategic partnerships, and the exciting potential for growth within women’s basketball. Listeners are encouraged to stay tuned for updates, secure their tickets, and follow the league’s broadcast to witness the evolution of women’s basketball firsthand.
Final Notable Quote:
"Keep listening, keep watching, keep learning and keep loving the game because that's the only way we're going to keep growing it."
— Zena Keita [28:30]
Stay Connected:
For more insights and updates on Unrivaled and women’s basketball, subscribe to No Offseason on your preferred podcast platform and follow The Athletic online.