Unrivaled added another star to the league, this time as part of the in-studio commentating crew: Candace Parker.
Parker, a three-time WNBA champion, hung up her sneakers before the 2024 season, signaling the end of her illustrious 16-year career in the league. In the waning years of her playing career, Parker began exploring other options to stay around basketball as her playing career came to a close.
One of those options Parker pursued was being a commentator during NBA games for TNT Sports. And with Unrivaled’s tip-off date inching closer, Parker has been tabbed with headlining a star-studded studio commentating crew for the 3-on-3 league’s first season.
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The former WNBA champion will be joined by Renee Montgomery, a former WNBA All-Star, two-time WNBA champion, and partial owner of the Atlanta Dream. Lauren Jbara will be the host and will be in-studio alongside the two WNBA champions from the TNT studios in Atlanta.
Additionally, basketball legend Lisa Leslie will join the aforementioned trio throughout the season. In a statement, Craig Barry, the Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer at TNT Sports, explained what it meant to have legends of the game as part of Unrivaled.
“The additions of Candace, Renee, Lauren, and Leslie will jumpstart our exciting coverage with some of the best and biggest talent in the sport” Barry’s statement said. “Their transcendent knowledge of the game and scope of experience are going to bring this new league to life in important and unexpected ways.”
Candace Parker will provide analysis for the Unrivaled league (
Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Micky Lawler, Unrivaled’s commissioner, also released a statement on the league’s additions. “We’re thrilled to tip off our inaugural season with such legendary talent across all levels of the women’s basketball space,” the statement read. “Their voices will bring much-needed analysis and perspective to the revolutionary version of basketball Unrivaled, and TNT are bringing to fans this year.”
Leslie will joined play-by-play announcer Brendan Glasheen and Sarah Kustok – best known for her work with the YES Network covering Brooklyn Nets games – for game commentary. On the sideline, Taylor Rooks, Allie LaForce, Stephanie Ready, and Ros Gold-Onwude will provide analysis throughout the games as well.
On social media, Unrivaled posted the announcement, stating: “In case you needed any more reasons to tune in to Unrivaled games this season… just look at who we have lined up as our TNT Sports broadcast team.”
Glasheen, known for his work with the Connecticut Sun and the Boston Celtics, expressed his gratitude on being included with some of the best the game has to offer. On X, he posted: “Women’s basketball has been very good to me. I am excited to work with this amazing team.
“I feel so lucky and fortunate. Thank you, @Unrivaledwbb! We are gonna have a lot of fun! Wheels up to Miami tomorrow.”
Along with the league’s star-studded commentary crew, Unrivaled received a massive boost after tennis star Coco Gauff joined the group of investors, bringing the funding of the league to $35 million. Unrivaled is set to tip off on Friday, January 17.
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