The BIG3 basketball league made headlines by offering Caitlin Clark $5 million to play in its upcoming season after she completes her time with Iowa. However, not everyone was impressed with the offer. Kenyon Martin, a former NBA star who has played in the BIG3, expressed doubt about Clark’s abilities, suggesting that she would not be able to score a single point in a game. Martin and former NBA player Gilbert Arenas both seemed skeptical of Clark’s potential success in the league. Despite the criticism, Clark has not publicly commented on the offer made by the BIG3.
Ice Cube, the founder of the BIG3 league, later confirmed the offer to Caitlin Clark while stating that it was initially meant to remain private. He emphasized the opportunity the league could provide for Clark, describing her as a “generational athlete” who could achieve success in the BIG3. Ice Cube pointed out the success of other female coaches and players in the league, highlighting the potential for Clark to break down barriers for women athletes. He also discussed the importance of American female basketball players having professional options in the U.S. instead of having to play overseas during their off seasons.
Ice Cube specifically addressed the challenges faced by women athletes in the U.S. and emphasized the need for more professional opportunities for them within the country. He criticized the trend of American athletes having to play overseas to make a living and highlighted the lack of options for female athletes in professional sports leagues in the U.S. Ice Cube’s offer to Caitlin Clark was seen as a step towards providing more opportunities for female athletes in the U.S. and addressing the issue of limited professional options for women in sports.
The offer to Caitlin Clark by the BIG3 was intended to showcase the league as an alternative professional option for athletes in the U.S. Ice Cube mentioned that the league offered a new choice for athletes, especially female basketball players, to play professionally without having to go overseas. He highlighted the success of female coaches and players in the league as examples of the opportunities available within the BIG3. Ice Cube’s comments suggested a commitment to providing equal opportunities for women athletes and breaking down barriers in professional sports.
Overall, the offer made to Caitlin Clark by the BIG3 sparked discussions about the opportunities available to female athletes in the U.S. and the need for more professional options within the country. While the offer was met with skepticism by some, including former NBA player Kenyon Martin, Ice Cube defended the decision to offer Clark a spot in the league and emphasized her potential for success. The offer highlighted the commitment of the BIG3 league to provide opportunities for female athletes and address the challenges faced by American women athletes in professional sports.
