Women’s basketball may be on the brink of a seismic shift. According to emerging reports, Indiana Fever rookie sensation Caitlin Clark has received a staggering $75 million offer to leave the WNBA and join a newly formed 3×3 league, Unrivaled. The deal, funded in part by TNT Sports, would be one of the richest contracts in the history of women’s sports—and a potential game-changer for the future of the game.
The Offer: Backed by TNT
The proposed deal includes not only Clark’s playing contract but also a comprehensive media package. TNT is reportedly prepared to broadcast two games per week on TNT and one game per week on truTV, putting Clark at the center of a bold new marketing strategy designed to elevate the league’s profile.
In comparison, current WNBA salaries top out around $230,000, with MVP A’ja Wilson earning less than one percent of the proposed Clark deal. That massive financial disparity has already stirred envy and frustration among established WNBA stars.
Why Clark?
Clark’s rookie season has been nothing short of transformative. She led the WNBA in scoring, assists, and jersey sales, while her games averaged 1.84 million viewers and boosted league attendance by 50%. Her popularity extends far beyond the court, making her one of the most marketable athletes in all of sports.
Unrivaled sees Clark as its “Michael Jordan”—a figure capable of expanding the game globally and making 3×3 basketball a legitimate competitor to traditional 5-on-5 play. For the league, she represents both star power and cultural momentum.
Player Reactions: Tension Rising
The unprecedented deal has not been welcomed by all. Several WNBA players have voiced frustration, with some openly questioning the fairness of one player receiving more than the league’s entire salary pool combined.
Reigning MVP A’ja Wilson and others have publicly expressed concern about the widening pay gap. One player was quoted as saying, “I’ve been grinding my entire life, and we’re still fighting for equal pay. Now one player is getting more than what the entire league makes in a year.”
Clark’s Dilemma
For Clark, the decision is complicated. She has long advocated for the growth of women’s basketball and has embraced her role as a rising face of the WNBA. Sources close to her say she is intrigued by the opportunity but mindful of the backlash such a move could generate.
Accepting the $75 million offer could give her life-changing financial security and an unmatched platform. But leaving the WNBA so early in her career could strain relationships with peers and disrupt the league she has worked to help elevate.
Not the First Offer
This isn’t the first time Clark has been courted by outside leagues. Ice Cube’s Big 3 previously offered her $3 million to join their half-court format, an unprecedented sum for that competition. Clark declined, choosing instead to focus on her WNBA rookie season.
What’s at Stake
If Clark were to accept Unrivaled’s offer, the consequences could be far-reaching. The WNBA—already battling financial and visibility challenges—could lose its brightest star. That, in turn, could depress attendance, merchandise sales, and television ratings.
At the same time, Clark’s move might set a new precedent for women’s sports contracts and open the door to more lucrative opportunities for athletes across the board. Just as European clubs once lured NBA stars in the 1980s, Unrivaled’s bold move could reshape the basketball landscape.
The Future of Women’s Basketball
Caitlin Clark’s decision—whether to remain loyal to the WNBA or pursue the unprecedented Unrivaled offer—could define the next chapter of women’s basketball.
Either way, the mere existence of such an offer signals a new era. Women’s sports are commanding greater attention, bigger investments, and bold experiments aimed at capturing global audiences.
For now, all eyes remain on Clark. Her choice will not only impact her career but could also determine the balance of power in women’s basketball for years to come.
