BIG3 co-founder Ice Cube said Thursday that the league has “moved on” from offering player Kaitlyn Clark $10 million to join the 3-on-3 basketball league.
During an appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show,” the rapper and actor shared some interesting details about the contract Clark was offered before deciding to join the WNBA.
“It was $5 million a year for two years,” he said, “plus we were going to do some cool stuff with merchandise and there was talk of a percentage ownership of the team.”
BIG3 co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz predicted that the total value of Clark’s deal with the league, including the team ownership percentage aspect of the deal, could reach “upwards” of $15 million.
Clark, who became the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer while at the University of Iowa, was the No. 1 overall pick by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
Clark was limited to seven points in the Fever’s game against the Dream on Thursday night, but she has been performing well for the Fever, averaging 17.6 points per game and being named WNBA Rookie of the Month for May.
And along with her skills, she also brings a ton of the attention the BIG3 were hoping to garner.
“Her joining the BIG3 is a huge thing and I believe it will lift all boats and the league will benefit from the attention,” Ice Cube said.
Clark will earn $338,056 over four years with the Fever, which has sparked a debate about pay disparities for female athletes.
However, the shortfall in salary will likely be made up through partnerships and branding deals.
Clark signed a $28 million deal with Nike in April that includes custom shoes.
She also has a partnership with Gatorade, revealed on a 150-foot banner before Indiana’s first regular-season game, and is the first athlete to sign a multi-year partnership with Wilson since Michael Jordan in the 1980s.
So, overall, she’s likely to avoid losing out on the extra cash from the BIG3.
