“Just look at who we have lined up as our TNT Sports broadcast team.” Sparking excitement among fans has been one of the mainstays for Unrivaled Basketball. And now, they have another update as we close in on the D-Day. Per the previous reports, all Unrivaled games will be broadcast on TNT Sports beginning January 17. With the inaugural season set to start in Miami. Of course, people wonder what will be the voices that will guide fans through all of the exhilarating moments.

Nonetheless, Unrivaled has unveiled a broadcast team, which has promised to offer unparalleled coverage. The group of seasoned professionals is known for their in-depth understanding of the game. The comprehensive team will analyze every nook and cranny for the audience, putting their experience with the sport on a showcase. But who are they?

Unveiling the Unrivaled broadcasting team

What is interesting about the broadcast team is the combination of experienced announcers who bring a wealth of knowledge to the women’s game. The primary announcer for the Connecticut Sun, Brendan Glasheen, will be the play-by-play broadcaster for Unrivaled. The dynamic duo of Lisa Leslie and Sarah Kustok bring all the enthusiasm and expertise that you would expect from someone with their credentials.

With that said their combined backgrounds in sports broadcasting give them a good backing to present first-class commentary. As a former full-time female analyst for an NBA team and women’s basketball on Fox Sports, Sarah Kustok brings in-depth knowledge to the table. Lisa Leslie’s multi-layered experience also brings a higher level of broadcast quality. Brendan Glasheen’s work with the Connecticut Sun and Maine Celtics provides a professional layer of broadcasting experience.

In addition, the broadcasting squad goes beyond primary announcers and features a very good studio and game coverage squad. Based in Atlanta, the studio team includes Lauren Jbara, host, and icons such as Candace Parker and Renee Montgomery. 

Also to provide first-hand updates and unique perspectives from the court, TNT has set up a game commentary team with sideline reporters. The roles of the sideline reporter will be shared by Taylor Rooks, Allie LaForce, Stephanie Ready, and Ros Gold-Onwude. All of whom add their own expertise and distinctive personalities to the broadcasts. 

All the games of Unrivaled are set to be hosted in Miami. The season opener of Unrivaled features a doubleheader with Mist facing Lunar Owls at 7:00 PM ET, then Rose against Vinyl at 8:15 PM ET. Six teams will be competing, each featuring six of the 36 top WNBA players. While Unrivaled gears up for their opening season, TNT is not only the positive development. Their facility has been upgraded with a $1.5 million injection.

Unrivaled ready to welcome fans in their new $1.5 m facility

When the WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart co-founded the league, they intended to give WNBA players a domestic option to earn during the offseason. In addition to offering extra chances for athletes, this is also a way to invite basketball fans to a new and exciting format.

To welcome the fans to this new format they invested a whopping $1.5 million in construction of the 850-seater facility meant to offer the ultimate experience for players as well as fans. 

The arena spans some 130,000 square feet and is located just seven miles from Miami International Airport, making it a very practical destination. The capacity of the venue is 850, ready to give an intimate and engaging encounter, fostering a closer connection between the players and the audience.

The court itself has been custom-built to accommodate the unique needs of 3 on 3 basketball. What’s interesting is that the court is a bit shorter than your typical WNBA court. Making the game more compact and strategic.

Outside of the court, the multipurpose facility houses state-of-the-art training spaces, childcare areas, and content creation space. The comprehensive design makes sure that all components related to the league’s operations: from player development to media production, are all taken care of.

Out of the inaugural season, Unrivaled has built the foundation for future expansion. The league has already exceeded its financial projections, allowing for a roster expansion from 30 to 36 players. This growth, supported by a successful Series A funding round that raised an additional $28 million, brings the total capital to $35 million. The partnerships with Under Armour and Wilson, along with the media rights agreement with TNT Sports guarantee a sound financial basis for future development.