Caitlin Clark remains coy about joining the Unrivaled league this winter amid rumors of a $1million offer for her participation.
The Indiana Fever rookie sensation led the WNBA’s popularity to soar to unprecedented heights this year as she became a catalyst for a spike in viewership and attendance numbers.
While she previously stated that she would not participate in any off-season competition, a recent interview suggests that Clark is not completely dismissing the 3-on-3 league founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier.
‘We’ll see,’ Clark told IndyStar and ESPN. ‘I don’t know. Just taking it as it goes, and see if I want to play eventually.’
In October, Front Office Sports reported that Unrivalled offered Clark a lucrative deal similar to what Inter Miami handed Lionel Messi to bring him over to MLS from Europe.
Caitlin Clark is not dismissing the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league after her WNBA rookie year
Furthermore, several of Clark’s friends have already filled roster slots for the league’s inaugural season. Namely Fever teammates Aliyah Boston and Lexie Hull and former Iowa teammate Kate Martin, who was drafted by the Las Vegas Aces this year.
Clark’s college and rookie rival Angel Reese has also enlisted for the competition.
Unrivaled will be based in Miami, Florida, and its inaugural season will begin in January 2025. The league will feature 30 players from the WNBA and NCAA and have the highest average salaries in women’s sports history.
The league presents a great alternative Stateside as women’s basketball players typically play overseas during the offseason to fill financial gaps.
On Oct. 16, Unrivaled announced a multi-year media rights deal with TNT. Games will also be available on Max and truTV.
WNBA stars Breanna Stewart (L) and Napheesa Collier (R) founded the 3-on-3 competition
Clark boosted the WNBA’s popularity while gaining multiple honors in her rookie campaign
While Clark remains undecided about participating, Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell was adamant that they will have a spot for the 2024 Rookie of the Year if she joins them in 2025.
‘We’re always going to have a roster spot for Caitlin Clark,’ Bazzell told Sportico in October.
‘We’re not applying a full-court press the way people think. We are letting her decompress from basketball,’ Bazzell added. ‘She knows that we have a spot for her when she’s ready.’
