Caitlin Clark, the golden girl of basketball, is about to face a real dilemma—and no, it’s not whether to use a 9-iron or a putter during her golf break. While her WNBA salary is barely enough to cover a nice set of clubs (a whopping $76,535 a year), a new rival is knocking at her door with a six-figure offer that could turn her bank account from “starving artist” to “comfortable influencer.”
Enter Unrivaled, the new 3-on-3 basketball league spearheaded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, designed to lure the WNBA’s brightest stars. Not only is Unrivaled throwing in a fat salary for its players—think six figures, not pennies—but they’re also offering equity stakes. That’s right, Clark could become part-owner of her own basketball future. Move over, Shark Tank!
Rumors are swirling that Clark is at the top of their wish list, as Collier dropped some serious hints while praising the Rookie of the Year’s ability to move not just the needle but entire arenas. Apparently, when Clark shows up to play, teams scramble to find venues big enough to house the swarms of fans. Yet, despite her box-office draw, she’s pocketing less than what your average Instagram influencer earns by endorsing protein shakes. Talk about “thank you for your service!”
Meanwhile, Angel Reese—Clark’s on-court rival—has already been lured into Unrivaled’s six-figure web, tempted by the promise of extra cash and equity. Reese has gone on record complaining that her WNBA salary barely covers her rent. Who knew being a superstar came with the same financial struggles as a broke college student?
But Clark’s got options. With a rumored $28 million deal with Nike, she’s not exactly pinching pennies. Plus, she’s enjoying some much-needed downtime, golfing her way through Indiana while everyone else chases her signature. Clark has even joked about going pro on the links—because why not, when your basketball schedule has been non-stop since your final college season? In true Caitlin Clark fashion, she remains unbothered by the mounting pressure, casually tossing out lines like, “I don’t know what I’m doing tomorrow. Maybe play some more golf.”
As Clark enjoys the luxury of not needing to make a decision just yet, Unrivaled needs her more than she needs them. With TNT Sports throwing their weight (and money) behind the new league, it’s clear that women’s basketball is growing rapidly. But will Caitlin trade her WNBA jersey for a shorter court and a bigger paycheck? Or will she continue to relax in her golf gear until the next WNBA season?
Whatever Clark decides, one thing’s for sure: she knows how to keep us all on the edge of our seats—even when she’s not playing. Maybe Unrivaled should offer her a coaching gig on the golf course while they’re at it.
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