Serena Williams’ venture capital firm, Serena Ventures, has invested in Unrivaled, a new off-season women’s 3-on-3 basketball league, now valued at $340 million.
Why it matters: Williams’ involvement through Serena Ventures could prove advantageous for Unrivaled, building on the firm’s history of successful funding initiatives aimed at addressing the severe lack of funding for women’s businesses and brands.
The details:
- Unrivaled’s inaugural season kicked off in January in Miami, featuring a distinct playing style and competitive salaries that exceed the average WNBA earnings.
- Other prominent investors in the recent Round B funding include Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks, Franz and Moritz Wagner of the Orlando Magic, and University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines, and his wife Sylvia.
- Bessemer Venture Partners led the round, positioning Unrivaled for significant growth.
Williams’ strategic move to focus on Serena Ventures has already shown promise, with the fund raising over $111 million. Her commitment to investing in women entrepreneurs marks a significant step toward addressing funding inequalities and building a more inclusive venture capital landscape.
By the numbers:
- Unrivaled generated approximately $30 million in revenue during its first season, doubling the league officials’ projections.
- The league averaged 221,000 viewers on TNT and truTV during its first season, with the championship game between the Rose and Vinyl drawing 364,000 viewers.
- Having raised $35 million in funding before the season began, Unrivaled nearly broke even in its inaugural season and is projected to turn a profit in its second year.
What they’re saying:
- “This valuation and additional funding will expedite our growth strategy,” said Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell. “Due to our significant revenue performance in the first season, we’re able to accelerate our plans from a five-year roadmap to a three-year roadmap.”
- “We’re continuing to align with partners who elevate our league and accelerate our strategic growth. With Bessemer Venture Partners leading this round, Unrivaled is in an unprecedented position for a new sports league,” Bazzell added.
What’s next: Unrivaled’s impressive debut season and significant valuation are promising indicators of the league’s future growth and success. The league plans to expand its venue space in Miami and continue offering competitive player salaries and equity in the league.
Recent from X
Unrivaled continues to build the future of sports and shows what is possible!
Fired up to be leading @Unrivaledwbb Series B & partner with @alexbazzell, @PHEEsespieces and @breannastewart and invest alongside @SerenaVentures ! LFG!https://t.co/E4mTNFXUCk
— Byron Deeter (@bdeeter) September 8, 2025
https://twitter.com/AnnieCostabile/status/1965141389555236993
Unrivaled's valuation hit $340 million—10X what it was in the spring of 2024—with its latest round of funding.
Additionally, the league doubled its revenue projections from season one, leading to salary increases "across the board." https://t.co/IqwEKhnp3N
— Annie Costabile (@AnnieCostabile) September 8, 2025
News: Unrivaled announces a valuation of $340 million after its inaugural season. League president Alex Bazzell told ESPN how this will help expedite the league’s growth: https://t.co/IjhpnaAMl7
— Kendra Andrews (@kendra__andrews) September 8, 2025
