Why Caitlin Clark likely won't accept Ice Cube's $5 million offer to play in the BIG3

Another day, another company vying for the chance to get in on the phenomenon that is Caitlin Clark. This time, it’s Ice Cube and the BIG3, offering to drop five million reasons why she should come play in their league.

We’ve been saying it, but Caitlin Clark has no shortage of money or offers to give her more moolah in exchange for her talents. Even with going to the WNBA, she’s picking up deals along the way. Now, she’ll have another one to consider. Ice Cube and his BIG3 basketball league want Caitlin to play for them.

According to TMZ, Cube is offering $5 million to Caitlin if she plays eight regular-season games and potentially two playoff games.

Caitlin Clark Gets Blockbuster $5 Million Offer From Ice Cube's Big3 League | Click to read more https://t.co/IsVV9uVPbT

— TMZ (@TMZ) March 27, 2024

After details of the offer leaked, Ice Cube took to X (formerly Twitter) to plead his case and explain why the offer was made.

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

America’s women athletes should not be forced to spend their off seasons playing in often dismal and dubious foreign countries just to make ends meet.

— Ice Cube (@icecube) March 27, 2024

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

There’s just one problem: The Big3’s season — which starts in June — runs smack dab in the middle of the WNBA’s season. That means while the offer is substantial, but it’s likely more a gesture to show that the league understands Clark’s value.

Also, the current WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) prioritization clause, which requires players to prioritize the WNBA over other leagues, would complicate Clark’s involvement. This is part of the reason why several players go overseas or play in other leagues during the offseason.

Pair the schedule and CBA restrictions with the major injury risk Caitlin Clark would assume by getting involved with the BIG3, and it’s very easy to see why this is not entirely feasible right now. Things could change in the future, but for the moment, the offer merely brings a lot of positive publicity to the BIG3.