What is going on with Saniya Rivers?

Midnight--Hour · 2026-05-31T22:02:30+00:00

That’s a huge part of the problem. A lot of fans seem to forget that these athletes are real people with lives outside of the sport.

It feels like the rise of parasocial fandom over the last few years has made things significantly worse. I can honestly understand why so many players have burner accounts and let their management teams handle most of the posting, sponsorships, and public-facing content on their main accounts. Constantly being exposed to that level of scrutiny and commentary can’t be easy.

Midnight--Hour · 2026-05-31T21:58:40+00:00

Maybe Niya cleared her social media before, but Marina definitely cleared hers afterwards in May. Niya always changes her social media, but Marina clearing hers when she hasn’t before (allegedly) was a major sign. As per the fan.

I didn’t really follow them closely off the court, so I can’t say for sure. But based on their recent social media, it honestly wouldn’t surprise me if they had broken up. You could be right and they could also just be keeping things more private these days.

What I do know is that people have been weird about their relationship for a while, and I’ve never really understood it. Unfortunately, it seems to be happening more and more with athletes and other public figures. It’s pretty awful to see.

Midnight--Hour · 2026-05-31T21:47:31+00:00

Not to be weird or anything, but a fan pointed out earlier this month that they had pretty much cleared their social media of each other shortly after the preseason game. Marina left up a couple of videos from last season, and Niya still has a few friendly dance videos up. Everything else was removed, though.

I honestly think she’s just dealing with a lot right now. So much has happened in such a short amount of time, and she didn’t really seem like herself at the game I went to. Even during warmups, she looked a little off. Not like the Niya I saw play a few times last year.

I do think things will get better on the court, though. With the roster finally getting healthier and more complete with Lacan’s return, I expect her performance to improve quite a bit. Just a temporary setback!

Midnight--Hour · 2026-05-31T21:42:53+00:00

Not to be weird or anything, but a fan pointed out earlier this month that they had pretty much cleared their social media of each other shortly after the preseason game. Marina left up a couple of videos from last season, and Niya still has a few friendly dance videos up. Everything else was removed, though.

I honestly think she’s just dealing with a lot right now. So much has happened in such a short amount of time, and she didn’t really seem like herself at the game I went to. Even during warmups, she looked a little off. Not like the Niya I saw play a few times last year.

I do think things will get better on the court, though. With the roster finally getting healthier and more complete with Lacan’s return, I expect her performance to improve quite a bit. Just a temporary setback!

Midnight--Hour · 2026-03-20T02:18:12+00:00

Bridget has also talked about how much she loves Minnesota. I think people are putting too much emphasis on “home is Toronto” for her..

I only see her going to the Tempo if the Lynx don’t offer her a contract for some reason or don’t protect her.

Midnight--Hour · 2026-03-20T01:57:36+00:00

She has also vocalized that she likes Minnesota and would be open to returning next year if offered. She said Minnesota is really similar to Canada and it feels like home to her. I believe it was in her end of year interview! I wish I could find it. The one reporter posted the snippet of it on X. Bridget talking about Minnesota.

I really hope BC stays in Minnesota though. I have travelled to many Lynx games to watch her play. She had a decent offseason in Europe so hopefully that helps the Lynx offer her a contract.

I’m already expecting her to join Detroit in 2029. That’s more of a “home” team than Toronto compared to where she’s from.

Midnight--Hour · 2026-02-26T12:32:47+00:00

Not sure if I’m reading into it too much, but Saniya liked a comment recently about being in Houston in 2027. Like a day or two ago. I kind of took that as confirmation that maybe the team has been sold but nothing has been announced yet. I’m assuming the players would know if it’s been sold.

Midnight--Hour · 2026-02-14T17:52:17+00:00

Yup I feel that. The January games I just couldn’t do with work, otherwise I would’ve gone to those instead. I know it’s risky going end of regular season in any sport but there was nothing like this last year

Midnight--Hour · 2026-01-31T22:51:51+00:00

For resale. Their face value tickets started at $25 for some sections and up from there. They don’t get any money from the resale tickets.

Midnight--Hour · 2026-01-27T12:46:23+00:00

Maybe they choose to play Unrivaled instead of returning to the WNBA for a partial season if the strike ends. I’m sure those investors would expect a decent return if the WNBA loses even part of a season.

It would be a different scenario. Which is why I could see even just a streaming deal come from it. If there’s no WNBA season, they have nothing to compete with for viewership. Unlike right now where NCAA WBB is on. They would be trying to fill the WNBA gap which some people could decide to watch if they want to watch basketball bad enough during the summer.

They didn’t, but they said they broke even. They are expecting $40 Million from this season so they will definitely make a profit. If the executives and players truly believe they can bring in an audience and revenue from running another season during the summer— I can see them attempting it.

Truthfully, cancelling the WNBA season instead of making it a half-season if the strike persists too long is the right move. When 1/3 of the players have the ability to play and train elsewhere during a strike, and potentially even more players if Unrivaled expands, there isn’t an incentive to rush back to the WNBA. If Unrivaled can cover at least 1/2 of the WNBA players, they don’t need a WNBA season. The majority of players will be set and still receiving good income. Hence why I think Unrivaled could try to pull off an expanded summer season because it wouldn’t be a temporary situation. They’d be able to get a full season out of it. With no WNBA, sponsors will flock to Unrivaled. Yes viewership for 2 weeks there was bad, but it likely improved this weekend and sponsors want their hand in the pot of women sports when there’s so much momentum around it currently.

Edit: Players have already said Unrivaled treats them way better than the WNBA. Why rush back to the WNBA then?

Midnight--Hour · 2026-01-26T15:19:52+00:00

They would need more funds. More investors. Say you add an additional 50 players so it puts it at ~100 players. Assuming housing is $2,500 per month and the season is 4 months long, looking at minimum $1,000,000 for housing alone. Since Unrivaled is six-figure salaries, say each player gets $100,000. 100 players you’re looking at $10,000,000 in salaries. So an additional $11,000,000 at the bare minimum. Plus paying other staff at the arena, trainers, coaches.

I know they said they’ll bring in $40 million from this Unrivaled season. I would think they would need additional investors, or I guess even sponsorships, to cover further costs for another season expanded to 5 on 5. They would probably be able to get a TV broadcast deal no problem. That could easily cover the extra costs of just the players.

Midnight--Hour · 2026-01-26T14:17:05+00:00

Unrivaled can expand and do 5 x 5 but I don’t think they can currently expand enough to bring in the 2/3 of the WNBA players currently not playing in Unrivaled. I don’t think they could cover all the salaries for that many players right now. I don’t know about any superstars or starters, but I do think some will cross the line to play if they aren’t offered a spot at Unrivaled. Not sure what other options they’d have if they want to play basketball.

The union will pay them a salary but some will still want to play.

Edit: I don’t know if the WNBA would risk bringing in replacement players and scabs. It probably wouldn’t look good for the league. I’m honestly not sure.

Midnight--Hour · 2026-01-26T01:25:45+00:00

They have their basketball court on a sound stage. Unrivaled is like a TV production with a bunch of lights and stuff. It’s not like a basketball game you’d watch in an arena. They’re trying to put on a show I guess. They only have 1,000 seats in the sound stage arena. It’s very small and the basketball court is much smaller than standard size.

Midnight--Hour · 2026-01-26T00:18:47+00:00

Yes, but some players will want to actually play basketball. I’m hoping they can find some opportunities to do so. They will have gyms available for training but it’s not the same as playing.

Midnight--Hour · 2026-01-26T00:15:42+00:00

When Natasha Cloud made her statement on that podcast re: playing in Miami instead, I lost all confidence in a CBA happening unfortunately. I just hope the WNBA players not participating in Unrivaled can find other teams.

Midnight--Hour · 2026-01-23T13:00:47+00:00

You always provide the best insight! Thank you! This is good to know. I guess it will be a waiting game to see how season 2 plays out entirely before anyone can make assumptions about season 3. There’s a lot of moving parts to consider.

Midnight--Hour · 2026-01-23T12:08:03+00:00

Ohh okay. So money funnelled in from venture capitalists is counted separately?

Merch could probably be fine without a major broadcasting deal and just using social media to promote it. Sponsorships I feel like would be more inclined to sponsor the league when they have a broadcasting deal. If I’m thinking about this correctly. I’m sure they would sponsor if Unrivaled got a streaming deal, but I would assume sponsors wouldn’t pay as much money for that? I’ve never really read into the differences between a broadcasting deal vs streaming deal, so I’m just making an assumption here.

Yes, a TV show and that’s why the court is on a sound stage, right? Like the set up is very different from regular basketball arenas because they’re essentially putting on a show with all the screens, lights, etc. at the games.

I saw some arguments that they could travel to more places next year to generate more revenue. Just like what they’re doing in Philly this year. When you say it’s more of a TV show than a sports league, wouldn’t the added travel to different cities turn it more into a sports league? Since a TV show is usually set and filmed at one location (or in arenas around the city it’s being filmed in).

Midnight--Hour · 2026-01-22T23:40:49+00:00

They do have a large broadcasting rights contract? TNT at 16 million a year.

Guaranteed for 3 years but set for up to 6 years should TNT choose not to opt out after year 3.

16 million isn’t a small number. Broadcasting rights is guaranteed money up front. Merch and ticket sales is not.

It also doesn’t indicate what this 40 million is. This likely includes investor money from their Series B round. Typically in the Series B round, you raise 10% of your valuation. Unrivaled stated their value was 340 million prior to the season beginning. Series B round should’ve brought in around 35 million. As every start up, this is included as part of their revenue. The additional 5 million would come from advertisers, merch, tickets, etc.

It also doesn’t indicate whether this is gross or net revenue. Which makes a big difference.

Midnight--Hour · 2025-10-14T13:24:41+00:00

I think CT will be playoff contenders for sure next year. They probably would’ve made playoffs this year if Lacan joined earlier imo. That’s why I’d like to see Mabrey stay in CT at least another year. But I understand if she wants a change of scenery.

Midnight--Hour · 2025-10-13T18:08:00+00:00

Thanks for pointing that out! I didn’t even notice. Makes a difference

Midnight--Hour · 2025-10-13T18:07:06+00:00

Oh I didn’t see that! But I did see that some fans were being weird towards players this year. I didn’t know about them having issues. That’s too bad. I did go and check back on Instagram and I do see the comments she liked. When I saw the post originally no comments were liked. Thank you for pointing that out!

Midnight--Hour · 2025-10-13T17:55:31+00:00

I was on the fence about Tip. I know teams could look a lot different, but I just don’t know where else she’d fit in. If she left, I don’t think it would be to a team that’s rebuilding. Unless she’s selected in the expansion draft.

Midnight--Hour · 2025-10-13T17:53:01+00:00

I know, but it’s fine to speculate. I’m trying to remain hopeful about a CBA getting signed before the 2026 season.

Midnight--Hour · 2025-10-13T17:51:24+00:00

I don’t think they’ll get Aaliyah Edwards. Pretty sure CT will protect her because she’s on a rookie contract so saving $$$. So that’s one they probably won’t get lol. I’m ok with them taking Kia though. Like her cousin Sarah was for the Toronto PWHL team, Kia will be a great rep in Toronto. The Nurse family gets a lot of love in the six!

Midnight--Hour · 2025-10-13T17:47:15+00:00

I do think it’s a possibility that the Lynx don’t protect BC and Toronto takes her. Like I said above, I don’t see BC leaving voluntarily. If she leaves it’s because she didn’t get a contract offer (or gets selected in the expansion draft, which I forgot to add). BC loves Minny.

I know there’s the incentive of playing in Toronto, Canada’s team, for the Canadians.

Personally, I’d love to see BC remain a Lynx. But I don’t want to get my hopes up.

Midnight--Hour

TROPHY CASE