Caitlin Clark’s $15m offer, career switch statement, Angel Reese stance, Draft confession
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 11: Caitlin Clark attends the 2024 A Year In TIME dinner at Current at Chelsea Piers on December 11, 2024 in New York City.© Jason Mendez/Getty Images
Caitlin Clark picked up Time magazine’s Athlete of the Year award in 2024 in a year that saw her make her mark on the sporting world.
The former point guard for the Iowa Hawkeyes transitioned seamlessly into the WNBA after she became the top draft pick for the Indiana Fever, carrying her collegiate success into her professional career. With an overwhelming majority of votes (66 out of 67), Clark was also named the WNBA Rookie of the Year, shattering numerous records in her inaugural season.
At just 22, she led all rookies with an average of 19.2 points per game and set a new WNBA single-season rookie record for points and three-pointers. Despite the Fever’s first-round playoff defeat to the Connecticut Sun, Clark more than justified her number one draft pick status.
Her college basketball records are still intact across both men’s and women’s leagues, including the highest scoring record in NCAA history. She also holds records for the most three-pointers (548) and attempts (1,452), and is the Hawkeyes’ all-time leader in assists, reports the Mirror US.
WNBA Draft upset
Getting picked first in the Draft was a tremendous honour for Clark and her family, yet it came with a dash of sadness. As the top draft choice, Clark was quickly whisked away for interviews, leaving her no time to celebrate with loved ones.
On the Fresh Tawk podcast, Clark shared her frustration at missing out on the rest of the Draft, including not witnessing former Hawkeyes teammate Kate Martin’s selection. Clark said: “I was so upset because after I got drafted, I got just drug out immediately and I didn’t get to see any of the draft. I had my phone, I couldn’t really go on it. It made me so upset. And then, I didn’t even get to see Kate get drafted. It made me really upset.”
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 04: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever poses for a portrait after being named 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year on October 4, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.© Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images
She also confided to podcast hosts, and past team-mates, Martin, Gabbie Marshall, and Jada Gyamfi about her longing to have had more precious moments with them and others close to her during that special time. She added: “I didn’t even take pictures with you guys, my family, like Connor [McCaffery], like no one.”
Despite these setbacks, Clark channelled her energies into her season with the Fever, making a sensational impact in the WNBA.
Angel Reese Rivalry
Clark’s well-known rivalry with Angel Reese stretches back to their college basketball days. Reese, who played for Maryland and LSU, has bested Clark’s Hawkeyes four times throughout their careers, most notably during the 2023 NCAA Tournament championship match.
However, Clark snapped the losing streak in the 2024 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight by netting a whopping 41 points, propelling Iowa to the Final Four and ultimately securing a runner-up spot behind the South Carolina Gamecocks. Reese is known for her lively presence on the court, often seen celebrating with zeal in front of her rivals.
During LSU’s triumphant national championship run in 2023, Reese was caught on camera doing a ‘you can’t see me’ gesture in front of Clark twice and also tapping her ring finger as a sign of victory while facing the 22-year-old. At that moment, Clark didn’t say much about the incident except to express her desire to celebrate her team’s impressive performance and acknowledge her opponents’ success.
Angel Reese #10 of the LSU Lady Tigers reacts towards Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the fourth quarter during the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament championship game at American Airlines Center on April 02, 2023 in Dallas, Texas.© Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Clark said: “I didn’t think it was taunting. It didn’t really bother me. It’s just like ‘Why don’t you talk about them winning?’ Or the incredible run that we went on that nobody would have thought we would have ever gone on? The only thing people cared about was this controversy that was really fabricated and made up, and that that has continued to be the case ever since.”
Despite what seemed like taunts and a brewing rivalry between them, both athletes have come forward to dismiss any speculation of animosity. In an interview with Time magazine, Clark stated: “I don’t get that at all. We’re not best friends, by any means, but we’re very respectful of one another.Yes, we have had tremendous battles. But when have I ever guarded her? And when has she guarded me.”
Reese has not been shy in expressing her admiration for Clark, especially after they teamed up at the WNBA All-Star game. She said: “She’s great to play with. Hopefully, in four years, we’ll be Olympians together.”
$15 million offer from the BIG3
Clark has been a revelation in the WNBA this year, outscoring other point guards and creating new basketball fans worldwide. However, in October 2024, it was revealed that the athlete was offered the chance by Ice Cube’s ‘BIG3’ basketball league to become the first woman to compete in a North American men’s professional basketball league.
In comparison to Clark’s $76,000 (£62,900) annual salary at Fever, she was reportedly able to earn a $10m (£7.7m) salary in this league. BIG3 co-owner Jeff Kwatinetz also stated that participants would also get “a percentage of team ownership worth millions, 50 per cent of merchandising revenues from her name and likeness, and ownership of a BIG3 documentary with a seven-figure advance”.
Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever drives against Veronica Burton #22 of the Connecticut Sun during the third quarter of Game Two of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs first round at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 25, 2024 in Uncasville, Connecticut.© Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images
Yet, despite the deal’s sum hitting potential heights of $15m (£11.9m), Clark was left in the dark until the media caught wind of it, learning about the offer alongside the general public. This revelation prompted BIG3 co-owner Jeff Kwatinetz to point fingers at the industry’s powerbrokers.
He said: “We have reason to believe these male agents and executives controlling the sport never even shared our trailblazing offer with Caitlin let alone facilitated Caitlin meeting with the BIG3 to discuss the opportunity.
“From our perspective, these representatives don’t seem to work for an individual client like Caitlin. They seem to work for the NBA mob, as their client list is a who’s who of NBA players. Do we expect them to prioritize Caitlin over the NBA – the top employer of their most highly-paid clients?
“The NBA commands by fear, and they make sure their industry of agents, lawyers, managers, and networks stay in line. And that line is to prevent BIG3 success, even if it stunts the growth of women’s basketball.”
Unusual career switch
In October 2024, Clark surprised many when she announced her decision to switch from basketball to golf during the winter months, participating in the Annika pro-am event in November. She teamed up with LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam and honed her skills at other pro-am tournaments over the following weeks.
Clark also showcased her talent at the RSM Classic pro-am, playing alongside golfer Zach Johnson at St Simon’s Island in Georgia. The PGA Tour lauded her “multi-sport” prowess.
ST SIMONS ISLAND, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 20: WNBA player Caitlin Clark plays during the Pro-Am prior to The RSM Classic 2024 at Sea Island Resort on November 20, 2024 in St Simons Island, Georgia.© Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
On its official account, the PGA Tour posted: “Multi-sport athlete” accompanied by a golf tee and basketball emoji and a video of Clark teeing off at the RSM event. While some might assume that the 22-year-old’s foray into golf is a marketing gimmick, it actually stems from a familial connection.
Speaking at the LPGA Women’s Leadership Summit, Clark shared that she grew up playing golf with her father and continues to enjoy the sport as a leisure activity with friends. Clark said: “You know, having my first WNBA season behind me and being here is super cool. I’ve tried to take as much time as I can to practise, but there is only so much hope. You just cross your fingers, pray.
“No, I’ve practised a little bit and I just had the quote about becoming a professional golfer. Everybody thought I was serious. I was not serious. I love it. I love being outside and making it competitive with my friends.”
