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Caitlin Clark TURNED DOWN $10 million salary, team ownership, merchandise revenue, and more before accepting WNBA offer

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Joseph Varghese | Last updated 4/25/24

Caitlin Clark‘s prospective earnings in the WNBA are already a topic of much discussion. Despite setting the basketball world on fire and blowing up viewership records, she will make a paltry amount of money. However, reports have come out that she turned down a massive $10 million salary to sign with the BIG3 league.

Jeff Kwatinetz is the co-founder of the BIG3 basketball league along with Ice Cube. He talked about the offer in a story with Outkick. The offer had more money involved than her WNBA contract and a percentage of team ownership.

We made an offer to Caitlin. Ten million dollars of salary over two years, a percentage of team ownership worth millions, fifty percent of merchandising revenues from her name and likeness, and ownership of a BIG3 documentary with a seven-figure advance. In total, we’re talking fifteen million dollars or more to merely play a ten-game season. Jeff Kwatinetz via Outkick

Essentially, Kwatinetz and Ice Cube wanted to ensure that Caitlin Clark could get her return for her stardom in the form of her massive pay from BIG3. She only had to play ten games at max to earn those figures.

However, as per the co-founder, Clark turned it down to play in the WNBA. That is despite him suggesting that the former Iowa superstar could also play in the WNBA along with the BIG3. It also should be of concern that the schedules of the two leagues overlap.

Ice Cube's Big3 league reportedly offered Caitlin Clark over $15M, with a salary, team ownership, merchandise profits, and a documentary stake, per @TMZ_Sports & @Outkick

“The deal came with a $10 million salary over two years, a percentage of team ownership, half of merch… pic.twitter.com/hEEO0hNgcz
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 24, 2024

Therefore, it seems she turned down the big money offer to take her talents and star power to the WNBA. Despite her extremely low salary compared to what BIG3 offered, her upcoming deal with Nike should offset that.

Caitlin Clark could set a precedent for women in sports to earn more

The BIG3 offer shows that women in sports can be compensated well enough. It just takes someone to set the precedent so that those who come later can get the results. The WNBA will have to rethink its strategy after such big money offers from BIG3. The rival league could offer big deals to women college stars in the future.

If Caitlin Clark helps the WNBA turn a profit, she will have single-handedly turned an entire league around. This will result in an increase in salaries as well. After all, women’s basketball players are always talking about getting a better share of the revenue.

Clark’s influence can push the league to a bigger revenue. As a result, the WNBA could share more of its revenue with the players. It will also be great to see the BIG3 do their part to push for more revenue and recognition for women in sports.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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