Cue the dramatic drumroll, because Caitlin Clark is still leaving everyone hanging.
Indiana Fever’s very own Caitlin Clark—yes, the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year, the queen of buzzer-beaters, and general basketball wizard—has the entire basketball universe on the edge of their seats. Why? Because she’s noncommittally, but oh-so-curiously, not saying “no” to the new 3×3 Unrivaled league. She’s also not saying “yes.” In true Clark fashion, she’s saying, “We’ll see.”
Let’s recap: the Unrivaled league, co-founded by WNBA star Napheesa Collier, is set to debut in January 2025, and they’ve been courting Clark like she’s the most eligible free agent at a basketball prom. Collier and Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell are practically writing “Do you want to play for us? Check yes, no, or maybe” notes and slipping them into her locker.
On Monday, during the unveiling of Fever coach Stephanie White (again—didn’t she do this gig already?), Clark, surrounded by teammates Aliyah Boston and Lexie Hull—who have both committed to playing in Unrivaled—stayed coy. Boston and Hull may be all in, but Clark? She’s still deciding if she feels like showing up for the fun.
In an exclusive ESPN chat with Michael Voepel, Clark’s response was peak cryptic: “I don’t know. Just taking it as it goes… see if I want to play eventually.”
Eventually? What does that even mean, Caitlin? Are we talking eventually, like “when I finish binge-watching The Office for the seventh time,” or eventually, like “when pigs fly and I can dunk on Shaq”?
Unrivaled’s Golden Ticket: Is Clark Ready to Cash In?
With only six roster spots left in the inaugural 36-player season, Unrivaled is basically reserving a throne for Clark in their basketball kingdom. And who wouldn’t? She’s the hottest thing in women’s hoops since, well, Napheesa Collier herself. Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell isn’t even trying to play hard to get. “We’re always going to have a roster spot for Caitlin Clark,” he told Sportico with the enthusiasm of a kid who just found out Christmas is coming early.
But don’t get it twisted—there’s no pressure, or so they say. “We’re not applying a full-court press,” Bazzell claims. (Sure, Alex, sure.) “We’re letting her decompress from basketball.” Oh, and while she decompresses, feel free to take your time, Caitlin, but remember that everyone’s waiting with bated breath. No rush. None at all.
Show Me the Money, Unrivaled!
Now let’s talk cash because, let’s be real, Clark deserves to get paid big. Her rookie WNBA salary? A humble $76,535, which, in basketball terms, is practically chump change. Unrivaled is ready to make it rain, with Collier suggesting they’re prepared to offer Clark substantially more. How much more, you ask? Napheesa’s not spilling the beans, but rumors are swirling that the deal could rival the jaw-dropping package Lionel Messi got to strut his stuff in MLS. Yes, that Messi.
“I do think she needs to be paid fairly,” Collier said during a chat on the Podcast P with Paul George. Translation: We’ll back up the Brinks truck, Caitlin—just say the word.
To Play or Not to Play?
So, what’s holding Caitlin back? Maybe she’s just enjoying the attention, sipping tea while the basketball world waits on her every word. Or maybe she’s just deciding whether a 3×3 league fits into her basketball empire-building plans. One thing’s for sure: when she finally makes up her mind, it’s going to be a big deal.
Until then, we’ll all be sitting here refreshing Twitter, wondering if Caitlin Clark will bless Unrivaled with her magic touch.
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