Caitlin Clark speaks out on joining Angel Reese in new Unrivaled league
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark clarified that she’s focused on the rest of the WNBA season and is not ready to speak about the Unrivaled League just yet.
Caitlin Clark (R) is focusing on the WNBA season for the time being (Image: Getty Images)
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark was quick to dodge questions and commitments regarding the new Unrivaled women’s basketball league. The All-Star is locked in as the WNBA season returns this week after an extended summer break due to the Paris Olympics.
“Honestly I’m just focused on this right now,” Clark told reporters. “One thing at a time. Can’t always just be moving on to the next. My focus is right here.”
The Unrivaled League is a new 3×3 competition launched by WNBA veterans Breanna Stewart and Nahpeesa Collier. The league, offering salaries in the range of $250,000, is set to launch in January.
Clark clearly isn’t thinking about January but instead about Friday. Her 11-15 Fever will continue their playoff push with a home matchup against the Phoenix Mercury.
Unrivaled has already courted some of the biggest stars in the WNBA and is certainly keen to add Clark. The league has announced 12 of its 30 players, including Angel Reese, Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, and a further collection of All-Stars.
Caitlin Clark has been busy during the WNBA break, visiting Yankee Stadium last weekend (Image: Getty)
Collier has indicated that Unrivaled will look to secure at least four current WNBA rookies; so far, Reese is the only one who has publically committed.
Unrivaled managed to secure perhaps the biggest name in women’s college basketball: Paige Bueckers. The UConn star signed an NIL also granting her equity in Unrivaled, something the league has promised to all its players.
“It’s super cool,” Bueckers said. “Obviously you want to plan for the future, but your feet are living in the present. To be part of that which is something that’s so much bigger than myself.”
Unrivaled is financially backed by some of the biggest names in both men’s and women’s sports, including Carmelo Anthony, Megan Rapinoe, Steve Nash, and Alex Morgan.
Unrivaled will feature a 1v1 tournament during its All-Star weekend, an event which could pit Clark and Reese against each other with the nation watching. Platforms like these will allow the rookies to grow their brand and continue to make money despite the WNBA’s paltry salary structure.
“For years, women have relied heavily on off-court sponsorships for a majority of their income,” said Unrivaled founder Breanna Stewart. “With Unrivaled, we’re revolutionizing the game by prioritizing investments in our stars and ensuring their on-court performance is reflected in their pay.”
Clark and the Fever sit eighth in the WNBA standings, good enough for the league’s final playoff spot. They’ve gone 10-7 in their last 17 games and seem to be climbing steadily.
Her 17.1 points per game lead all rookies and her 8.2 assists pace the league as a whole. Clark is amongst the favorites for the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award.
