Thomas finished third in MVP voting.
Alyssa Thomas makes big future announcement during Mercury-Lynx series originally appeared on The Sporting News
Against the backdrop of contentious negotiations between the WNBA and its players' union over a new collective bargaining agreement, the coming offseason could be the most transformative in the league's 29-year history.
The WNBA Players' Association can opt out of the current CBA on Oct. 31, two weeks after the WNBA Finals are slated to end (if that series goes to a full seven games). Opting out would trigger a lockout that, if extended long enough, could delay the start of the 2026 season, as the players attempt to make historic financial gains amid the league's boom in popularity over the past three years.
Even in times of relative tranquility between the owners and the players, WNBA stars around the league traveled around the world during the offseason, playing in European leagues to earn extra cash before the start of a new season stateside. But last year, a true domestic alternative arose: the 3-on-3 Unrivaled league, cofounded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.
MORE: Lynx's Napheesa Collier responded to WNBA MVP 'snub' the only way she knew how
After a wildly successful first season that ran from January to March, Unrivaled is adding two new teams to the inaugural six that fans got to watch down in Miami for a nine-week period earlier this year. The league is opting to roll out each of its signed players for 2026 as the WNBA Playoffs continue -- and the first confirmed signing is that of Alyssa Thomas, the Phoenix Mercury's star point forward.
ALYSSA THOMAS IS UNRIVALED ✅ Presented by @Ally
— Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) September 22, 2025
Catch her again in Season 2 starting Jan. 5 on TNT, truTV and Max. 📺 pic.twitter.com/uSzdoYajDv
Thomas, 33, has guided the Mercury to the WNBA semifinals for the first time since 2021. Nicknamed "The Engine," Thomas is a six-time All-Star and the league's all-time leader in triple-doubles. Thomas finished third in MVP voting this season, behind Collier and the winner A'ja Wilson, and she is currently competing against Collier in the semifinals, scoring 18 points in an 82-69 loss in Sunday's Game 1.
The second season of Unrivaled begins Jan. 5, and games will be broadcast on TNT, truTV and the streaming service HBO Max.
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Category: Basketball
