The Unrivaled 3-on-3 professional women’s basketball league is trying to lure the WNBA’s top star into the fold with a $1 million salary and promise of an ownership stake if she agrees to play for just three months.
It is a clear sign that one of the few major stars who haven’t signed with the league yet is being heavily, heavily courted.
The news comes via a Front Office Sports report describing the deal as “Lionel Messi–Like.” That description seems a little bit carried away, but there’s little doubt Unrivaled wants a piece of the Caitlin Clark effect.
“With her stardom and broad appeal in mind, the start-up league is poised to offer Clark everything from a salary possibly exceeding $1 million for less than three months of work, to equity and revenue sharing,” sources tell FOS.
At her current salary, it would take Clark roughly 12 years to earn $1 million. And they’re describing it as “exceeding” that amount.
Will Caitlin Clark Join Unrivaled?
Whether Caitlin Clark accepts the lucrative offer or not, it’s clear Unrivaled is in this for the long run. They are a major player trying to prove there is money to be made – and earned – in women’s basketball.
Unrivaled, co-founded by WNBA superstars Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx and Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty, promises to pay the highest average salary in women’s professional sports league history.
“For years, women have relied heavily on off-court sponsorships for a majority of their income,” Stewart told the New York Post previously. “With Unrivaled, we’re revolutionizing the game by prioritizing investments in our stars and ensuring their on-court performance is reflected in their pay.”
Unrivaled has financial backing from Ally Financial and some of the world’s top athletes. They state that they will provide six-figure deals, with all 30 players (on six teams) receiving equity.
A league spokesperson tells FOS that “we believe Unrivaled is setting a new standard in the marketplace.”
It sure looks that way.
Should The WNBA Be Worried?
While their seasons do not overlap and the gameplay is vastly different, the WNBA may be starting to sweat. Unrivaled has to be taken seriously if they score Clark and are able to boast about giving her a $1 million salary plus equity.
Clark just criticized the WNBA’s current schedule for stepping on her golf game. It was clearly a joke, but what isn’t a joke is her current salary and being forced to use endorsement deals to make ends meet.
The league’s reigning Rookie of the Year has to be wondering what it would be like to get paid to just play basketball.
Her rival, Chicago Sky star Angel Reese hasn’t been shy about praising Unrivaled for paying their players more money.
“I’m excited for the league’s first season!” said Reese. “It’s amazing to be a part of a league that gives equity to players. I’m looking forward to playing with the best athletes and really using the time to focus on my game and getting better too.”
There is no indication as of yet that Caitlin Clark would be joining Unrivaled, but Reese did suggest the two might be teaming up in the future.
