Basketball fans will soon get a look at the hard work that goes into the Unrivaled league.
On Monday, January 12, WNBA veterans Aari McDonald and Rachel Banham announced their new podcast Aari And Rachel: Unfiltered at Unrivaled. The podcast is produced by Tissue Entertainment with Lemonada Media overseeing ad sales and distribution. New episodes will drop weekly beginning Thursday, January 15.
"I’m incredibly excited about this new venture Rachel and I are bringing to Unrivaled this season,” said McDonald in a statement. “It gives me the opportunity to talk about the game I love to play while showcasing my personality, fashion, and the importance of education and financial literacy among athletes, along with many other meaningful topics of conversation, with some fun. Most importantly, it allows me to connect with players that I may never have had the chance to speak with and provides a platform to show that we are so much more than just athletes on a court.”
Banham added, "I’m super pumped for the opportunity to talk hoops and life with my fellow co-host Aari! I can’t wait to get to know some of the best basketball players in the world, not just as hoopers, but as humans. I’m excited for this growing fan base to see the behind-the-scenes fun at Unrivaled and what we’re all about!"
Each episode will highlight stories from the Unrivaled league, detailing the practice and the dedication that goes into each game. McDonald and Banham will also detail the energy and culture driving the league.
Unrivaled was founded in 2023 by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart as a way for WNBA players to remain active on the court during the offseason, allowing them to avoid complications that come with traveling and playing overseas. Unrivaled’s first season kicked off last year, with games consisting of two three-on-three teams, playing on a full court with two ends over the course of three seven-minute periods.
McDonald currently plays on the Breeze Basketball Club and Banham plays on the Lunar Owls.
“We are so excited to bring together a powerhouse team of dynamic female hosts and women-led companies to share the inside scoop from this groundbreaking, women-founded league,” said Stephanie Wittels Wachs, CEO of Lemonada Media, in a statement. “We have loved seeing the explosive growth in women’s sports, especially basketball, in recent years, and know there are so many amazing stories to be told there, from on the court to the cultural impact to the ongoing conversations on equity for female athletes.”