Caitlin Clark's stance on £11.5m deal, leftfield career switch, 'mind-boggling' new offer
Reach Daily Express November 01, 2024 05:39 AM

Her performances have been amazing, but stock is also rising away from the court. with the Indiana Fever, she has quickly become one of the most exciting and popular athletes in the United States.

Nike have already agreed an eight-year contract worth $28million with the 22-year-old guard, which also includes a signature shoe. A whole host of brands and companies are lining up to endorse the Iowa native.

However, Clark has also received many intriguing offers, not only outside the WNBA, but away from basketball as a whole. Express Sport takes you through some of the lucrative deals she has been pitched.

Leading a basketball revolution

Clark's rookie WNBA season saw her hit all sorts of individual heights, but it still ended with the Fever falling at the first hurdle in the playoffs. While many players look to use the off-season as an opportunity to relax, Clark was offered an opportunity to be the main face of the 'Unrivaled' three-on-three basketball division.

David Levy, co-founder of the new division, hinted that they would even consider holding an event in Iowa, if she agreed to join. When asked if he wanted Clark in an interview, he said: "If we're lucky enough to get Caitlin Clark, are we going to travel to Iowa?"

His query was followed up by Minnesota Lynx icon and co-founder Napheesa Collier, who said: "I think we might have a couple more rookies in there, that might be a hint."

Clark opted not to join the division so she could pursue another venture - more of that later.

Mind-boggling offer

Clark is already a wealthy person, but she could have earned herself another £11.5m ($15m). She was offered the astronomical offer by Ice Cube's 'BIG3' league, which is made up of retired NBA stars. Clark, who currently earns $76,000 (£58,122) at Fever, was offered an opportunity to become the first woman to compete in a North American men's basketball league.

She was reportedly pitched a £7.7m ($10m) package which also included "a percentage of team ownership worth millions, 50 per cent of merchandising revenues from her name and likeness, and ownership of a BIG3 documentary with a seven-figure advance". However, co-owner Jeff Kwatinetz accused agents of not showing Clark the offer.

He said: "We have reason to believe these male agents and executives controlling the sport never even shared our trailblazing offer with Caitlin, let alone facilitated Caitlin meeting with the BIG3 to discuss the opportunity. From our perspective, these representatives don't seem to work for an individual client like Caitlin.

"They seem to work for the NBA mob, as their client list is a who's who of NBA players. Do we expect them to prioritise Caitlin over the NBA - the top employer of their most highly-paid clients? The NBA commands by fear, and they make sure their industry of agents, lawyers, managers, and networks stay in line. And that line is to prevent BIG3 success, even if it stunts the growth of women's basketball."

Switching basketball for golf

In early October, Clark revealed her plans to temporarily swap sports for golf this winter. She snubbed all opportunities to play more basketball so she could pursue her other passion.

She's teamed up with LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam to participate in the Annika Pro-Am event from November 13 to 17. Speaking about her participation at the renowned Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida, Clark said: "I love golf so the opportunity to play in the Pro-Am for a tournament with a legend like Annika Sorenstam's name on it is so exciting.

"I'm looking forward to seeing all the LPGA players on the driving range, being part of the Women's Leadership Summit, and, of course, teeing it up in the pro-am with Annika."

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