In a move straight out of a basketball reality show, the newly-minted Unrivaled Basketball League is pulling out all the stops to recruit WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark. The young phenom, fresh off her Rookie of the Year campaign with the Indiana Fever, is clearly the apple of Unrivaled’s eye. And who can blame them? Clark’s on-court wizardry and her sky-high popularity would be a dream addition for the league in its upcoming inaugural season.
Unrivaled, a brainchild of WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, seems to be working overtime on their Caitlin Clark “wish list.” Their latest play? Signing Lexie Hull, Clark’s Indiana Fever teammate and good friend. That’s right—Hull is the latest recruit to the groundbreaking 3-on-3 league that has already secured an impressive roster. With stars like Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, and Arike Ogunbowale all locked in, January 2025 is shaping up to be a high-octane kickoff. But even with all that talent, the fans and league alike are all abuzz with one question: Will Caitlin Clark show up?
While Unrivaled originally planned for a 30-player talent pool, they recently decided to up the ante and expand to 36 players. The official line is that it’s due to exceeding their “financial goals” (translation: they’ve got the cash to make things even more exciting). Now, fans are speculating that the extra slots might just be the league’s way of setting the stage for Caitlin Clark—and maybe even Las Vegas Aces’ MVP A’ja Wilson.
Unrivaled’s allure is no joke. Besides offering equity in the league, players can earn what’s being touted as the highest average salary in women’s professional sports history. And Clark, who reportedly received a “Messi-like offer,” could be looking at more than $1 million, with additional revenue-sharing perks to boot. Compare that to her WNBA rookie paycheck of $76,535, and the difference is like going from couch change to a jackpot. The offer has sparked headlines, with many fans likening it to the eye-watering deal Lionel Messi inked with Inter Miami FC to bring a little European flair stateside.
But is money enough? With Hull and Kate Martin—another friend and former Iowa teammate of Clark’s, now with the Las Vegas Aces—already committed, Unrivaled is clearly constructing a basketball friend circle worthy of any rom-com montage. If Hull, Martin, and the rest of the stacked roster can’t sway Clark to join, Unrivaled may have to try more drastic measures (candy grams, anyone?).
The timing for this new league could not be better. The WNBA may be headed toward a potential lockout, a factor that could drive even more top-tier talent to Unrivaled’s doorstep. Adding fuel to the fire, Unrivaled has just inked a multi-year broadcast deal with TNT Sports, which means these games will be aired live on TNT, truTV, and streamed on Max. So, while traditionalists might be gearing up for a quiet offseason, basketball fans should get ready for primetime 3-on-3 action with some of the biggest names in women’s sports.
As January draws closer, the Caitlin Clark sweepstakes continue to captivate, and Unrivaled’s strategy of signing her friends just might be the missing piece. So, WNBA fans, will we see Caitlin Clark break away from the traditional offseason? Or is Unrivaled destined to remain the league of almost-dreams? Either way, this offseason may hold more twists than a buzzer-beater game, and the stakes are only getting higher.
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