The BIG3 basketball league made a significant offer to Iowa women’s basketball star Caitlin Clark to join the league as she transitions to playing in the WNBA later this year. The organization offered Clark a $5 million deal to play eight regular-season games and potentially two playoff games. She would also earn additional money from merchandise sales and sponsorships while still being able to compete in the WNBA. Ice Cube, co-founder of the league, confirmed the offer, praising Clark as a generational athlete who could make history and further break barriers for women athletes within the BIG3. Ice Cube emphasized the importance of providing American female basketball players with more professional options in the United States, rather than having to go overseas to earn money playing the sport they love.
Ice Cube stressed the need for American women athletes to not be forced to play in foreign countries during their off-seasons just to make ends meet. He highlighted the lack of professional options for women in the US and the infiltration of American sports leagues by autocratic, anti-women regimes. The offer to Caitlin Clark was seen as a way to provide another choice for athletes, allowing them to stay and compete domestically in the BIG3. The league, established in 2017, utilizes some rules from FIBA’s 3-on-3 format and has featured NBA and WNBA legends in a unique 3-on-3 style of play. If Clark accepts the offer, she would likely be the only active female player in the BIG3, making it a groundbreaking move for both the league and female athletes.
Caitlin Clark had previously announced her intention to declare for the WNBA Draft, where she is expected to be the top pick after setting all-time scoring records in college basketball this season. With her impressive skills and talent, Clark is poised to make a significant impact in the professional basketball world. Ice Cube’s endorsement of Clark as a potential BIG3 player further solidifies her status as a remarkable athlete with the potential to achieve tremendous success in the sport. The offer to Clark represents a unique opportunity for her to continue playing at a high level while also breaking down barriers and making history as a female athlete in the BIG3.
Ice Cube’s support for Caitlin Clark and American women athletes reflects a larger push for more opportunities for female players in the professional basketball landscape. By offering Clark a lucrative deal to join the BIG3, the league is taking a bold step towards providing additional options for women athletes to thrive and excel within the sport. The potential for Clark to become a trailblazer within the BIG3 could inspire other female athletes to pursue similar opportunities and challenge the norms within the industry. This move not only highlights Clark’s exceptional talent but also underscores the importance of creating more inclusive and diverse spaces for women in sports. As Clark considers her options and weighs the impact of this historic offer, the potential for her to make a lasting mark on the industry is significant and promising.
