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University of Iowa Hawkeyes point guard Caitlin Clark is already raking in the dough thanks to the NCAA’s NIL rules — you’ve probably seen her in a State Farm commercial by now — and, if she accepts an offer from Ice Cub’s Big 3 league, she’ll be making even more.
According to a report from TMZ Sports, the Big3 league, which launched in 2017, has tabled a $5 million offer to Clark in exchange for playing in 8 regular season games and potentially 2 playoff games.
Furthermore, the contract offered to Clark would also allow her to still play in the WNBA after she’s undoubtedly the first overall pick at the WNBA Draft on April 15. The Indiana Fever is the lucky franchise that has this year’s #1 pick.
In addition to the $5 million salary, the Big3 league has also offered Clark “substantial additional compensation” from sponsorships and merchandising.
The 2024 Big3 schedule currently runs from June 15 to August 18. That, however, is in direct conflict with the WNBA’s schedule, which also runs through the summer.
All ten of this season’s Big3 games are scheduled to take place on Saturdays and Sundays, which will surely overlap with the WNBA schedule. Whether or not the two leagues would be able to come to an agreement is another story entirely. Clark is shaping up to be a generational asset for women’s basketball and having her compete and likely outplay some of her opponents in a men’s league would add to her notoriety and popularity.
While Clark is surely making plenty of money from her own personal sponsorships and will likely continue to do so, a $5 million offer certainly would be something to mull over considering that the highest-paid WNBA player in 2023 was Erica Wheeler (also of the Indiana Fever), who had a salary of $242,000.
“She will make a salary in the WNBA — the No. 1 pick is guaranteed $76,535 in her first season — unlike at Iowa. She can also avail herself of up to $250,000 in a league marketing deal and up to $100,000 in a team marketing contract if she eschews playing abroad next offseason, or she can sign what is likely to be a high-paying contract to play for a team in Europe or China.” [via The Athletic]
Clark, 22 years old, has recently had deals with Gainbridge, Panini, Buick Gatorade, State Farm, Hy-Vee, and Nike. That number will continue to grow as her brand does.
The #1 seed Hawkeyes will be facing off against the #5 seed Colorado Buffaloes in the Sweet 16 of the Women’s NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 30 at 3:30 p.m. EST.