Unrivaled has enjoyed a stellar pilot season.

The newly created league, designed to give players a domestic option in the off-season, could have had even more success had stars like A’ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark opted to play.

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 27: A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces and Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky after a game on June 27,2024 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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A’ja Wilson passed on the opportunity to play in Unrivaled this off-season
Unrivaled, founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheese Collierand supported by top athletes like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Coco Gauff, attracted 36 of the best women basketball players.

The league aims to provide domestic playing opportunities and bypass the WNBA’s prioritisation rule, which penalises players who arrive late from overseas commitments.

It is based in Miami and provides players with a significant income boost, with an average salary of $222,222.

With top facilities and a chance to play against some of the best basketball players in the world, Unrivaled was a no-brainier for most WNBA players.

However, for the likes of Clark and Wilson, playing in the league just was not attractive enough and until now, we never knew why.

Las Vegas Aces star and 2x WNBA champion Wilson opened up on her decision to pass on the offer in a interview with Time Magazine.

“That’s my time to really just decompress. Unrivaled seems great. My teammates are loving it. Obviously, the money in it is amazing. And it’s like, ‘Dang, missing out,” Wilson said.

“But wholeheartedly, not even trying to front—I just didn’t want to. I just want to protect my peace.

“Because once the season gets in, no one’s gonna think, Oh, you just got done playing Unrivaled, let’s take it easy.”

Unrivaled had also tried and failed to recruit the likes of Jonquel Jones, Nneka Ogwumike, Kelsey Mitchell and Kelsey Plum.

CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 25: A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces and Angel Reese #5 of the Chicago Sky<br /> during the second half of a WNBA game on August 25, 2024 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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A’ja Wilson (left) has played seven WNBA seasons

COLUMBIA, SC - FEBRUARY 02: A'ja Wilson shows emotion as her No. 22 jersey is lifted into the rafters during a ceremony at the University of South Carolina at Colonial Life Arena on February 2 in Columbia, South Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Travis Bell/NBAE via Getty Images)
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A’ja Wilson was recently named one of Time Magazine’s Women of the Year

However, none of their attempts to recruit these players were as intense as their pursuit for Clark.

Clark was named the fourth-most-marketable athlete in the world by SportsPro (Messi ranks behind her at No. 5.) With her stardom and broad appeal in mind, the start-up league was desperate to sign her.

The Indiana Fever star was offered significant equity in the business and a three-month salary of over $1 million.

A significant boost on the $76,535 salary she earned with the Indiana Fever last year.

Although Clark’s main income comes off the court, along with other deals, she has an eight-year, $28 million contract with Nike

Therefore, having a more peaceful off-season like Wilson might have been too desirable to pass on for Clark and with the star raking in the money elsewhere, Unrivaled just could not offer her a attractive enough package.