Caitlin Clark is not just a basketball player; she’s a phenomenon. Since gracing the WNBA, she’s lit up arenas, crushed stat sheets, and casually boosted TV ratings like it’s her side hustle. Yet, amidst all the hoopla of her rookie year, a jaw-dropping, five-million-dollar question loomed: why did she turn down Ice Cube’s golden ticket to the Big 3 league?
That’s right—rapper, mogul, and Big 3 founder Ice Cube confirmed the deal with the nonchalance of someone offering a neighbor sugar. In an interview with Baller Alert Inc., he spilled, “We offered her $5 million.” To put that into perspective, that’s more than 50 times what the average WNBA rookie earns annually. Forget climbing the salary ladder; Cube basically handed her a jetpack.
But Clark passed, leaving fans and pundits alike wondering: was this a case of WNBA loyalty, bad advice, or something else entirely?
Agents, Allegiances, and Ice Cube’s Frustration
Ice Cube didn’t hold back on why he thinks the deal fell apart. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t Clark who slammed the brakes. “I think her agents were hating on it,” Cube remarked, frustration seeping through his words.
According to him, Clark’s representation treated his offer like a telemarketer call—ignored and avoided. “They didn’t let us speak with her or her family,” Cube claimed, hinting that her agents were playing corporate defense. Their rationale? Alleged fear of rocking the NBA-affiliated boat they float on. After all, why risk multimillion-dollar NBA deals for a one-off Big 3 partnership, right?
But hold up—did Ice Cube just insinuate that Clark’s agents are more invested in their high-rolling NBA clients than in promoting women’s basketball stars? That’s a spicy take!
Clark’s Full-Court Passion: Why She Stuck with the WNBA
While Cube has his theories, insiders believe Clark’s decision wasn’t just about business politics. A die-hard competitor, Clark might have simply preferred full-court, five-on-five basketball over the half-court, three-on-three format the Big 3 is known for. Sure, $5 million is life-changing, but when you’re already revolutionizing the WNBA, is it really worth jumping to another league?
Clark’s Rookie of the Year campaign was not just a success—it was a cultural moment. Nearly every time she touched the ball, the viewership numbers soared. Out of the WNBA’s 23 games that crossed the million-viewer threshold in 2024, Clark played in 20. Her gravity on the court is matched only by her ability to draw eyeballs off it.
Meanwhile, in the Angel Reese Corner…
Naturally, Ice Cube’s juicy offer had fans asking, “What about Angel Reese?” The LSU star and viral sensation is no stranger to big moments, but Cube made it clear she didn’t move the financial needle the way Clark did.
“It wasn’t unlocking those dollars like it would have with Caitlin,” he bluntly stated. Ouch! While Reese is making her own moves, including an upcoming stint in the Unrivaled league, the message was clear: Clark is in a league of her own, both literally and figuratively.
Big 3’s Loss is WNBA’s Gain
Ice Cube’s Big 3 league may have missed out on a superstar, but Clark’s commitment to the WNBA is paying dividends for the league. With her leading the charge, viewership is climbing, and the WNBA is cementing itself as must-watch basketball.
As for Clark? She’s not just chasing greatness—she’s redefining it. Ice Cube’s $5 million may have been tempting, but when you’re already commanding the spotlight in the WNBA, why settle for a side gig?
Clark made her choice, and like her signature three-pointer, it was nothing but net.
