Supposedly "the plan" according to Stewie and Phee when they started this sideshow was to allow players to make real money without having to go overseas to get paid. All the factors mentioned will make it hard to continue, plus whatever networks or entities that are funding it probably aren't getting the return they'd hoped for.Unrivaled is trying to succeed w/ out Aja and CC, which seems like a huge undertaking, but even if she joined I think the most ardent CC fans would be like, "Why am I watching this again?" An enormous part of CC's popularity is due to making basketball fun and more like the men's (Pete Maravich!) for many people, and 3x3 is never going to be anything like "real basketball" for some viewers.
And your point on the length of season is spot on.
Let's say CC played Unrivaled this season:
She'd have to start getting ready in December of 2025 for a league that ran from Jan 5th - March 4th.
MAYBE take a week or 2 off before starting to get ready for the WNBA season, first pre-season game was April 25th
She doesn't get a true break at All Star time...doesn't get a break during FIBA time...and the WNBA season can last up until the end of October.
So a player could end up w/ just 6-7 weeks off between seasons to get any work/rest in before doing it all again...and per the CBA next year's schedule can last until November 21st, allowing even less time between seasons.
I think the plan all along was to get the WNBA to invest in the league and then get them to outright buy it out and use it as a training/practice tool for younger players, but I think the W is just going to continue to squeeze them out w/ an expanded schedule and increased salaries.