Caitlin Clark plays coy about Unrivaled possibility as $1 million rumor leaks
Caitlin Clark is taking things one day at a time.
The Fever All-Star played coy about whether she will join the Unrivaled League this WNBA offseason but didn’t rule out that it’s a possibility.
“We’ll see,” Clark told ESPN during new Fever coach Stephanie White’s introductory press conference on Monday. “I don’t know. Just taking it as it goes, and see if I want to play eventually.”
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) possesses the ball during the first half against the Connecticut Sun during Game 2 of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs at Mohegan Sun Arena. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Prior to that, Clark was noncommittal about the new 3-on-3 league founded by the Liberty’s Breanna Stewart and the Lynx’s Napheesa Collier.
It came amid buzz that Unrivaled — based in Miami for eight weeks from January to March — hit Clark with a “[Lionel] Messi-like offer” to join the league, according to Front Office Sport.
That offer reportedly is for more than $1 million plus revenue-sharing opportunities.
Each player in Unrivaled’s inaugural season will get equity in the league.
Clark’s response Monday was her most candid when asked publicly if she plans to join Unrivaled.
(L-R) Lexie Hull, Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever attend Stephanie White’s introductory press conference on November 4, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse Indianapolis, Indiana. NBAE via Getty Images
“We’re always going to have a roster spot for Caitlin Clark,” Unrivaled President Alex Bazzell told Sportico in October after the FOS report came out. “We’re not applying a full-court press the way people think. We are letting her decompress from basketball. … She knows that we have a spot for her when she’s ready.”
In August, Clark said she was focused on the Fever as the league was about to resume play after the All-Star break and the Paris Olympics.
Unrivaled appeared to put on the full-court press to lure Clark — the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year —when it was announced that her good friends had joined the league.
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. NBAE via Getty Images
Aces guard Kate Martin, who played with Clark in college at Iowa, filled the 28th roster spot last month, followed by Fever guard Lexie Hull in the 29th spot.
Fever center Aliyah Boston was later revealed as the league’s 30th signing.
Afterward, Collier announced that the league was expanding from 30 roster spots to 36, because “we outperformed our financial projections.”
During a recent appearance on Paul George’s podcast, Collier said Unrivaled would offer Clark a fair compensation.
“I can’t give numbers obviously, but I mean I can tell you it’s substantially more than what she’s making in the WNBA,” Collier said. “I do think she needs to be paid fairly and we would be offering her a fair compensation for what she’s doing. That’s all I can tell you.”
Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever shoots the ball during the game against the Connecticut Sun during Round one Game 2 of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs on September 25, 2024 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. NBAE via Getty Images
Clark, the Fever’s No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, made $76,535 during her rookie season.
The Iowa product — and the NCAA’s Division I all-time leading scorer for men and women — signed a four-year, $338,056 deal after she was drafted.
Clark could earn up to $97,582 in salary in the final year of her deal.
Her WNBA salary doesn’t include endorsement deals with Nike, Wilson, State Farm and more.
Aliyah Boston, Stephanie White, Caitlin Clark and Lexie Hull of the Indiana Fever pose for a photo during Stephanie White’s introductory press conference on November 4, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse Indianapolis, Indiana. NBAE via Getty Images
Unrivaled announced a multi-year media rights deal with TNT on Oct. 16. Games will also be available on Max and truTV.
The league was created so that players could make money while playing year-round in the U.S. instead of going overseas during the WNBA offseason.
