# Unrivaled Takes the Sports World by Storm with Record-Shattering Attendance
What began as a promising concept has rapidly evolved into a sensational force in women’s sports. The innovative three-on-three women’s basketball league, Unrivaled, which launched last year from its Miami base, has embarked on a tour for its second season, immediately making headlines with an unprecedented debut. The tour’s inaugural stop in Philadelphia delivered a sold-out doubleheader on Friday night, cementing its status with record-breaking attendance figures.
## Historic Night in Philadelphia
The Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia witnessed a truly momentous occasion as 21,490 passionate fans packed the venue. This incredible turnout propelled Unrivaled to new heights, establishing an all-time record for the highest-attended regular-season professional women’s basketball game. Furthermore, it marked the most highly attended event ever hosted at the arena, surpassing even major concerts and Philadelphia 76ers and Flyers games.
The previous benchmark for professional women’s basketball attendance was set by Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever and the Washington Mystics on September 19, 2024, with 20,711 spectators. The Xfinity Mobile Arena’s prior record of 21,424 attendees dated back to the Backstreet Boys’ “Into the Millennium” Tour on September 29, 1999, a testament to the magnitude of Unrivaled’s achievement.
## Defying Early Skepticism: A Deeper Look Beyond Viewership
Despite the league’s undeniable success, Unrivaled faced some early skepticism, particularly concerning lower viewership numbers during the initial weeks of its second season. However, David Levy, a key investor in the league and former president of TNT Sports, was quick to contextualize these figures, asserting that they painted an incomplete picture of the league’s true trajectory.
### The “Football Effect” and Misplaced Negativity
Levy expressed his astonishment at the swift and often negative judgments cast upon Unrivaled in its nascent stages. “I’m totally shocked… how negative people got in the first two weeks of Unrivaled,” Levy remarked in a recent interview with FOX Business. He explained that the early schedule coincided with major football events, including NFL, college, and championship games. “You think anybody’s gonna watch Unrivaled? Probably not,” he conceded, highlighting how this direct competition skewed initial viewership. Levy emphasized that such circumstances made premature declarations of the league’s demise “shocking.”
## Surging Financials and Unmistakable Growth
Beyond the attendance records, Unrivaled is demonstrating robust financial health and increasing engagement across multiple fronts. League sources have indicated to FOX Business that the league is projected to exceed $40 million in revenue this season, representing a significant 48% increase from last season’s $27 million.
### Metrics That Matter
Even during the period of lower television ratings that Levy addressed, the league experienced a substantial surge in social media engagement. Merchandise sales also reflect this upward trend, climbing an impressive 54% from September through the end of the current season’s opening weekend, compared to the same timeframe in the previous year. “I’m about the facts. The facts are, every single other metric is up,” Levy affirmed, underscoring the comprehensive nature of Unrivaled’s growth.
## The Foundation of Success: Elite Play
Levy attributes much of the league’s rapid ascension to one fundamental element: the exceptional quality of play on the court. He revealed that he recognized the league’s immense potential once he witnessed the “A-plus” level of competition.
Initially, Levy admitted to some uncertainty about the intensity of the games, questioning if they might resemble more of a “scrimmage.” However, his doubts were quickly dispelled. “After the first two weeks, I knew it was gold,” he stated, referring to the high-stakes, competitive nature displayed by the athletes.
## A League Built on Opportunity and Engagement
While prominent WNBA stars like Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson have yet to join the Unrivaled roster, Levy remains unfazed, seeing it as an opportunity rather than a deficiency. He drew a compelling parallel to the NBA, suggesting that even without icons like Steph Curry and LeBron James, a league featuring the “top 56 NBA players” would still be an instant hit during the summer.
### Player Equity and Fan Connection
Unrivaled’s success, according to Levy, is multi-faceted. It brings together “every single great player playing in a three-on-three league,” creating a unique and exciting product. The league’s rapid rise is also fueled by its innovative social strategy and the deep connection between players and fans. “These women, they all have equity,” Levy pointed out, highlighting the shared ownership model. “Everyone has a following; women athletes completely engage with their fans. The breadth of impressions, I think, is a phenomenal one. I think that’s why the league is as successful as it is after just a year and three weeks.”
Unrivaled’s journey from a concept to a record-breaking phenomenon illustrates the immense appetite for high-quality women’s sports and the power of a well-executed vision.