WNBA star Caitlin Clark will not be participating in the inaugural season of Unrivaled, a new 3-on-3 women’s basketball league. The announcement was made on November 20, 2024, by ESPN, which reported that Clark, a standout player for the Indiana Fever, will not join the league when its season begins in January 2024. While the exact reasons for Clark’s decision have not been disclosed, the news has left fans and industry observers surprised, given the league’s previous efforts to recruit her.
Unrivaled, which is set to feature some of the top players from the WNBA, had reportedly extended a lucrative offer to Clark. Earlier reports suggested the league was preparing a deal comparable to the type of contract soccer star Lionel Messi received. This included a reported $1 million salary along with “significant” equity in the league, which would have made Clark one of its highest-paid athletes. However, despite the substantial offer, Clark has opted not to join the league’s debut season.
Clark’s absence from Unrivaled does not diminish her growing profile in women’s sports. In her first season with the Indiana Fever, she earned WNBA Rookie of the Year honors, playing a pivotal role in helping the Fever secure their first playoff spot since 2016. With impressive averages of 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game, Clark has quickly become one of the most talked-about figures in women’s basketball.
The Unrivaled league, founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, is expected to feature other prominent players such as Arike Ogunbowale of the Dallas Wings, Kelsey Plum of the Las Vegas Aces, and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky. The league’s first games will take place on January 17, 2024, in Miami, marking the beginning of what they hope will be a groundbreaking season for women’s 3-on-3 basketball.
As Clark continues to make waves in basketball and explore other passions, such as golf, her decision to skip the Unrivaled league will certainly be a topic of ongoing discussion. Fans will have to wait and see what her next move will be in her already remarkable career.
