As if Caitlin Clark needed any more fanfare, the Unrivaled Basketball League seems dead set on bringing her into their 3-on-3 fold, pulling out all the stops (and possibly even raiding a vault or two). After roping in not one but two of Clark’s closest pals, Lexie Hull and Kate Martin, the upstart league now sits with one tantalizing roster spot left—cue the suspense music.
The latest carrot dangled by Unrivaled’s founders, Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, is Hull, Clark’s Fever teammate and close friend, who they announced as the 29th player for the league’s January 2025 debut. Joining her is Kate Martin, another Clark confidante and former Iowa teammate who’s apparently willing to stake her reputation on a half-court circus show. If that wasn’t enough, the two recently reunited with their Hawkeyes squad, fueling every Clark fan’s dream (or conspiracy) that the “last spot” in Unrivaled has her name on it.
And who could blame Unrivaled for keeping one spot suspiciously open? The league has already leveled up its anticipation game to near-supernatural levels, teasing out Clark’s potential arrival with a series of posts that suggest a marketing masterclass—or sheer desperation. Offering her what’s been dubbed a “Messi-like deal” of over $1 million plus revenue-sharing isn’t just a serious flex; it’s practically a blaring siren saying, “Caitlin, we need you!”
Clark, meanwhile, might be the busiest woman in sports endorsements, thanks to deals with everyone from Nike to Gatorade to State Farm. She’s not exactly struggling for cash or attention, yet the idea of reuniting with Hull and Martin in a year-round, home-turf league might just add the perfect touch of camaraderie (and cash) to tilt the scales.
The Fever guard, known for her long-range shots and even longer list of NIL deals, remains publicly tight-lipped on the matter. But Unrivaled, clever as ever, is savoring the ambiguity, encouraging fans to speculate wildly on social media, perhaps hoping that the FOMO generated by all the buzz will prove too strong for Clark to resist. After all, why settle for WNBA stardom alone when you could rule over a new basketball kingdom with your besties by your side?
And it’s not just about friendship or nostalgia—it’s about the chance for Clark to step into a league offering players a slice of equity, promising not just a paycheck but a piece of the future, a move that might just be visionary enough to get her signature.
As the hype grows louder, we’re all left wondering: Is Caitlin Clark ready to take her place as Unrivaled’s 30th? Or will this tantalizing spot remain a dangling carrot as we await her decision? Either way, Unrivaled has definitely given basketball fans everywhere something to chew on.
