#USA #Miami #Unrivaled #Bessemer VC #Serena Ventures

Unrivaled Closes Oversubscribed Series B Investment Round

In a significant milestone for sports entrepreneurship, Unrivaled, the pioneering women's basketball league presented by Samsung Galaxy, has successfully concluded its Series B investment round, surpassing its initial funding targets. Led by renowned Bessemer Venture Partners, this fundraising effort also attracted investments from influential figures such as Serena Ventures, along with prior supporters like Warner Bros. Discovery and Alex Morgan's Trybe Ventures, who have increased their stakes in this dynamic league.

With this latest financial infusion, Unrivaled's valuation has now reached an impressive $340 million, a figure that marks a remarkable achievement for a league still in its nascent stages and serves as a testament to the strong vision, robust performance, and accelerating market presence that characterized its debut season.

Founded in 2023, Unrivaled's mission focuses on empowering female athletes, granting them a meaningful stake in the league's success. The organization stands out not only for offering the highest average salary in the history of professional women's sports leagues but also for its player-first compensation structure. This innovative model incorporates equity shares for players from the inaugural season, ensuring they benefit directly from the league's growth and increasing popularity.

Unrivaled's President, Alex Bazzell, expressed enthusiasm about the investment round's completion: "Our commitment to aligning with partners who contribute to the league's elevation and strategic expansion is unwavering. Bessemer's leadership, combined with the influence of our diverse investor group, enhances our mission and pushes the entire industry forward. This uptick in our valuation demonstrates investor confidence and validates the viability of athlete-driven models within the business spectrum."

The Series B round included financing from several notable individuals:

• - Trae Young, NBA All-Star (Atlanta Hawks)
• - Darryll J. Pines, President of the University of Maryland
• - Sam Rapoport, award-winning sports executive
• - Franz Wagner and Moritz Wagner, Orlando Magic players
• - Next Legacy Partners

The Vice President at Bessemer Venture Partners, Caty Rea, remarked, "Having invested in numerous pioneering companies, we are confident that Unrivaled is poised to establish a groundbreaking sports league. The league's exceptional business performance, demonstrated by its rapid growth and impressive financial metrics in its first operational year, along with its commitment to athlete advocacy and fan engagement, significantly intrigued us. We are excited to collaborate with Unrivaled to propel the league to new heights."

This recent funding round builds upon the momentum generated in the previous year when Unrivaled raised substantial investments from a diverse group of industry titans and sports icons, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Carmelo Anthony, and Billie Jean King, among others. The diversity of this investor base highlights the wide-ranging support for the league's innovative approach to professional women's sports.

With the second season set to commence in January 2026, the increasing investments and dedication to athlete empowerment signal a thriving future for Unrivaled. Fans and stakeholders can keep abreast of league news through their official website unrivaled.basketball and on social media platforms under @UnrivaledBasketball.

In summary, the close of Unrivaled's Series B round, marked by significant backing from prominent investors, positions the league as a noteworthy contender in the sports industry, advocating for its athletes and embracing an innovative ownership model that redefines the trajectory of women's professional sports.