Caitlin Clark Offered $5 Million by Ice Cube's Big3 League

Caitlin Clark, an Iowa women's basketball star, has been offered a $5 million contract to play in Ice Cube's BIG3 basketball league. This offer includes a commitment for eight regular-season games, with the possibility of two additional playoff games. Beyond the base salary, the contract also entails substantial earnings through merchandising and sponsorships. Clark's proposed BIG3 salary would significantly exceed the WNBA's top salary, which was $242,000 earned by Erica Wheeler last year.

Ice Cube, the co-founder of the BIG3, has publicly praised Clark, emphasizing the importance of expanding professional opportunities for female athletes in the United States. While the BIG3 has stated that their schedule would allow Clark to participate in the WNBA, the overlap of the two leagues' seasons could pose challenges. Despite this, Clark has declared for the WNBA draft, with the Indiana Fever anticipated to select her as their top pick.

The BIG3's offer comes amid an antitrust investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, launched last year into allegations that the NBA was trying to undermine the success of the BIG3 league. The deal, as reported, would potentially make Clark the first-ever woman to earn $5 million in American professional basketball, highlighting the growing attention on compensation and opportunities for female athletes.