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Iowa star Caitlin Clark is universally expected to be the No. 1 pick in next month’s WNBA draft, but she received another intriguing contract offer recently.
BIG3 co-founder Ice Cube confirmed on Wednesday that the three-on-three league made a “historic” $5 million offer to Clark.
Ice Cube @icecube
We intended the offer to remain private while Caitlin Clark plays for the championship. But I won’t deny what’s now already out there: BIG3 made a historic
offer to Caitlin Clark. Why wouldn’t we? Caitlin is a generational athlete who can achieve tremendous success in the BIG3. https://t.co/cwzHh7EVau
Per TMZ, the BIG3’s offer to Clark was for her to play in just eight regular-season games and two possible playoff games, so she would be making $5 million for just 10 appearances. Joining the BIG3 wouldn’t necessarily interfere with her WNBA career, as TMZ noted that there are just two games that would conflict with the BIG3 schedule.
Cube went on to add that he believes this offer can help Clark “make history and break down even more barriers for women athletes.” He also said he hopes to provide a better alternative for WNBA players during the offseason, as many of them resort to playing overseas to keep a stream of income.
“And they should have more than just one professional option in the US at a time when American pro sports leagues are being infiltrated by autocratic, anti-women regimes,” he wrote. “… Our pathbreaking offer to Caitlin Clark demonstrates that BIG3 now offers another choice for athletes.”
TMZ noted that it’s “unclear” whether the WNBA would block Clark or any other player from playing in the BIG3. Last year, the U.S. Dept. of Justice launched an antitrust investigation into allegations that the NBA, which operates the WNBA, was making moves that would adversely affect the BIG3.
Clark is preparing to lead the Hawkeyes in their Sweet 16 matchup against Colorado in the women’s NCAA Tournament on Saturday. After becoming the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer regardless of gender, the only thing left for her to achieve in her illustrious career is an elusive national championship.
