Charlie Neibergall/AP
Rapper Ice Cube confirmed Wednesday that he’s offered Iowa women’s basketball star Caitlin Clark $5 million to play in his Big3 basketball league.
The offer was first reported by TMZ early Wednesday morning. That report also claimed that “substantial additional compensation” related to merchandising and sponsorships was also part of the contract.
Clark would only have to play a minimum of eight games in the three-on-three league. If her team made the playoffs, she’d play 10 games.
More importantly, the games are unlikely to conflict with her WNBA schedule.
Hours after TMZ’s report, Ice Cube took to social media to confirm the news himself.
“We intended the offer to remain private while Caitlin Clark plays for the championship,” he said in a tweet. “But I won’t deny what’s now already out there: BIG3 made a historic offer to Caitlin Clark. Why wouldn’t we? Caitlin is a generational athlete who can achieve tremendous success in the BIG3.”
We intended the offer to remain private while Caitlin Clark plays for the championship. But I won’t deny what’s now already out there: BIG3 made a historic
offer to Caitlin Clark. Why wouldn’t we? Caitlin is a generational athlete who can achieve tremendous success in the BIG3. https://t.co/cwzHh7EVau— Ice Cube (@icecube) March 27, 2024
In the thread of tweets, Ice Cube noted how many WNBA athletes have to spend their off-seasons “playing in often dismal and dubious foreign countries just to make ends meet.” He was likely referring to Brittney Griner, who was held in a Russian prison for months after being arrested for possessing cannabis oil. She spent multiple off-seasons playing in Russia.
“And they should have more than just one professional option in the US at a time when American pro sports leagues are being infiltrated by autocratic, anti-women regimes such as Qatar,” Ice Cube said. “Our pathbreaking offer to Caitlin Clark demonstrates that BIG3 now offers another choice for athletes.”
And they should have more than just one professional option in the US at a time when American pro sports leagues are being infiltrated by autocratic, anti-women regimes such as Qatar. Our pathbreaking offer to Caitlin Clark demonstrates that BIG3 now offers another choice for…
— Ice Cube (@icecube) March 27, 2024
Last season, the highest-paid player in the WNBA was Indiana Fever guard Erica Wheeler. She made $242,000.
As a rookie — and the consensus no. 1 pick in the next WNBA Draft — Clark will make around $76,000.
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]