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Financial discussions surrounding Unrivaled are equally perplexing. While Nafisha Coler earned $200,000 for winning the initial tournament, which may seem impressive within the context of WNBA salaries, the sustainability of such payouts raises critical questions. How can Unrivaled afford to award significant sums in an environment where viewership has consistently been subpar?
The piece draws comparisons to CNN's viewership, suggesting that anything below 300,000 is unacceptable—yet Unrivaled averages far lower during its events. With opening round viewership reported at just 165,000, and quarterfinals drawing only slightly more at 189,000, the disparity becomes glaring. The financial model appears shaky if the league cannot maintain even modest audience numbers.