Indiana Fever guard and 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark has a tough decision on her hands: Does she stick with the WNBA and the Indiana Fever, or does she take the money and, well… run to Unrivaled? Reportedly, the league is offering Clark a tantalizing $1 million paycheck—ten times her WNBA salary—to play in their upcoming 3-on-3 competition. And just in case a cool million didn’t sweeten the deal enough, they’ve thrown in an equity stake for good measure.
This past season, Clark earned a modest $76,535 with the Fever, a figure that makes Unrivaled’s offer look downright ridiculous. Not to mention, her four-year WNBA contract is worth $338,056, or about what Unrivaled is offering her to play on a court barely longer than her driveway. Throw in her $28 million Nike endorsement, and Clark is doing just fine, financially speaking—but hey, why not make even more?
Unrivaled is making sure they have her full attention. Their new 3-on-3 league, set to tip-off in January in Miami, will feature 36 players across six teams, with an intense, rapid-fire game format on a 70-foot court and a 15-point cap in the final period. Clark would not only bring her sharpshooting to the table but also a much-needed dose of hype to the fledgling league. With 14 games per team, a Final Four-style showdown, and a $250,000 one-on-one prize, Unrivaled is positioning itself as basketball’s adrenaline-fueled alternative to traditional leagues.
Meanwhile, the Fever might be sweating a bit at the thought of losing their marquee player—though Unrivaled President Alex Bazzell insists there’s no pressure on Clark to rush her decision. “She knows that we have a spot for her when she’s ready,” he told Sportico. Translation: “We’ve got a blank check with her name on it; we’re just waiting for her to grab the pen.”
And Unrivaled seems to know just how to tug at her heartstrings. This week, they announced that Clark’s Fever teammates, Lexie Hull and Aliyah Boston, plus her Iowa buddy Kate Martin, have already signed up. It’s almost like they’re saying, “Come on, Caitlin! Your friends are all here—don’t miss out!”
The league, co-founded by Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier, also announced that its roster spots would increase from 30 to 36 after Unrivaled blew past its financial projections. Not too shabby for a league that’s still on the drawing board.
With names like “Laces,” “Mist,” and “Phantom,” the team names sound like a lineup of nail polish shades—but don’t be fooled, Unrivaled means business. Every single game will air in prime time on TNT Sports, so Clark would get plenty of exposure if she decides to make the leap.
On one hand, the WNBA offers Clark stability and a steady role in the traditional league, plus the chance to help lift her Indiana Fever squad. On the other, Unrivaled promises a shorter season (just two months!), lots of cash, and a new basketball format that would let Clark unleash her 3-point prowess in a whole new way.
As fans wait to see which way Clark will lean, one thing’s for sure: The WNBA has to be feeling the heat as Unrivaled and other up-and-coming leagues start making offers that are just too hard for players to ignore. Will the WNBA find a way to keep up and keep stars like Clark satisfied?
For now, Clark holds all the cards. Will she answer Unrivaled’s call? The clock is ticking, and come January 17, it’s game on
