A new 3-on-3 league offers a condensed format, some of the best W.N.B.A. players and a made-for-TV approach that aims to bring viewers close to the action.

It’s just an exciting time for women basketball in general with just the trajectory that we’re on,’ Natasha Cloud said. ‘This is another elite level to keep us home stateside and be adequately paid to do so.

The biggest takeaway from Unrivaled’s preseason has been about the luxury offerings for participants. And several players said the league’s setup is going to “put pressure” on the WNBA.

South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley and USC star JuJu Watkins are two of the investors behind Unrivaled, which has reportedly surpassed $35 million in funding. Other investors include tennis star Coco Gauff, former Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Unrivaled is ready for its closeup. The new 3-on-3 women’s basketball league co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier debuted Friday night. The co-founders squared off in the opening game and fittingly Stewart scored the first basket in league history — a baseline jumper.

The new 3-on-3 women's basketball league co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier will debut Friday night. The idea for the domestic league was first discussed a couple of years ago and now it's come to fruition.

The WNBA season is months away, but there’s now an opportunity to watch WNBA stars including Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier and Brittney Griner.

Unrivaled is setting a new standard for women’s basketball before one game has been played in the upstart league

Unrivaled is a new 3-on-3 women's professional basketball league that debuts on Friday. Six teams will compete for the title. Here's a guide on how the games will be played, where they will be played and where to watch them: The season runs from Friday to March 17 with games played mostly on Friday,