Who Is Unrivaled League's President Alex Bazzell? Meet The Man Behind Women's Basketball 2026 Season

Unrivaled basketball league is back in action after a thunderous debut season in 2025. The 2026 season runs from January 5 to March 4, featuring eight teams, up from six in the league’s inaugural 2025 season. The two teams that are participating in the Unrivaled basketball league are Breeze Basketball Club and Hive Basketball Club. The introduction of two new teams has not only increased competitive depth but also raised the number of roster spots.

Unrivaled's expanded 2026 season tips off in Miami with new teams, a fast-paced format, and headline-making star performances

The games are contested in a condensed format, including three seven-minute quarters, followed by an untimed “winning score fourth quarter that increases the game’s unpredictability and excitement. In addition to its regular league play, Unrivaled has introduced the iconic 1-on-1 tournament, featuring additional star moments and viral highlights throughout the season. The 2026 Unrivaled season kicked off on January 5, 2026, in Miami with a series of standout performances that gave a perfect start to the league’s much-awaited second season.

Talking about some of the major highlights from the opening night, Breanna Stewart led her team, Mist BC, to a strong 72-56 win over Hive BC, powered by Allisha Gray’s 21 points. We have had Lunar Owls facing Rose BC and Phantom up against Breeze BC, fixtures that have taken Unrivaled’s second season off to a flying start. While Breanna and Allisha dominated the headlines, Paige Bueckers, Cameron Brink, and Skylar Diggins were also trending all over social media.

Elite WNBA talent, UConn ties, and a player-first vision: How Unrivaled's star power and philosophy define its second season

Moving on to the star power in the second season, Unrivaled’s roster features dozens of WNBA players and upcoming stars, including six former UConn players, such as Paige Bueckers and Aaliyah Edwards. Unfortunately, Unrivaled’s co-founder and 2025 season’s MVP, Napheesa Collier, will miss the 2026 season due to double ankle surgery as she has been sidelined for some months. Due to rising concerns about injuries, Unrivaled has introduced a development player pool of six athletes who will be assigned to teams during an injury crisis.

The professional 3-on-3 women’s basketball league was co-founded by WNBA stars, Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. The mutual aim of forming this league was to provide elite players with a competitive platform during the offseason while expanding women’s basketball worldwide. From high salaries to equity shares for players, Unrivaled aims to become the “Champions League” of women’s basketball. Recognised networks such as TNT, HBO Max, and truTV make Unrivaled widely accessible to basketball fans in the US.

Unrivaled's format, full schedule, and the leadership team powering the league's rapid growth

The Unrivaled basketball league's schedule and format include a 56-game regular season, opening on January 5, a 1-on-1 tournament from February 11 to 14, and playoffs and championship games from late February to early March. With the rapid growth and enhanced media deals, there’s no denying that the Unrivaled league has the potential to be a real game-changer in women’s basketball. However, it’s also important to discuss the league’s President, Alex Bazzell, and Commissioner, Micky Lawler. For the uninitiated, while Bazzell is a former basketball player, Lawler is a former President of the Women’s Tennis Association. So, without further ado, let’s talk about them.

From college hoops to power couple: Alex Bazzell's basketball journey and life with Napheesa Collier

Alex Bazzell has played for the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Roos and Lindenwood University. After quitting basketball as a player, he began his coaching career and has coached and trained some of the best players in the NBA and WNBA for over 9 years. He has also established his own academy in St. Louis, which has produced numerous talented young players. On the personal front, Bazzell is married to renowned basketball star, Napheesa Collier, who plays for the Minnesota Lynx as a forward.

Alex Bazzell and Napheesa Collier became friends after Bazzell became her trainer at the University of Connecticut (UConn) in August 2015. In 2017, they reportedly started dating, and in October 2019, they got engaged. On May 25, 2022, Bazzell and Collier welcomed their first child, a baby girl, whom they named Mila Sarah Bazzell. Months after becoming parents, the couple got married on October 7, 2022, in a private ceremony.

Micky Lawler's quiet authority: A celebrated sports executive steering Unrivaled's vision

Unrivaled’s commissioner, Micky Lawler, is the mother of three children: Charlotte, Trevor, and Juliette. However, her spouse or partner's identity is not publicly available. The renowned businesswoman prefers to keep her personal life private and out of the media spotlight. For the uninitiated, in 2012, Sports Business Journal labeled Micky Lawler as the “Game Changer: Women in Sports Business”, which speaks volumes about her mark in the sports industry. With Alex Bazzell and Micky Lawler working together, it's no wonder people are super-excited about the future of Unrivaled.

What are your thoughts on these interesting anecdotes and facts related to Unrivaled and its President, Alex Bazzell, and Commissioner, Micky Lawler? Let us know.

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