Iowa college basketball star Caitlin Clark was offered a lucrative $5 million contract from Ice Cube to play in his BIG3 league.
- Rapper Lil Durk doubled the initial offer with a $10 million deal to play for his “3”.
- The latest betting odds suggest that Clark will not sign a contract to play for the BIG3 in 2024.
As college basketball phenom Caitlin Clark prepares to lead her Iowa Hawkeyes into the Final Four, the 22-year-old has received an enticing offer from rap superstar Ice Cube. The “You Can Do It” multi-platinum hip-hop mogul is offering Clark an eye-watering $5 million offer to play in the BIG3 league.
However, according to BetUS, Clark is not expected to sign with the BIG3 league for the 2024 season. While she may entertain the offer at another date, the sharp-shooting Hawkeye has +500 odds of signing with the BIG3 in 2024.
In short, there is an implied probability of 16.7% that Clark will suit up for a BIG3 roster this season, which begins on Saturday, June 15. Clark, who seemed surprised by the offer, recently commented on where she stands.
“Yeah, to be honest, I found out about the BIG 3 thing at the exact time you all did, and my main focus is just on playing basketball. I think that’s the biggest thing.”
“But more than anything, my focus is on winning these two games, and that’s exactly how it should be. I honestly don’t talk about those things with really anybody. I have other people that deal with it, and they haven’t said a word to me about it. My main focus is on this team and helping us find a way to beat Colorado and hopefully win another after that,” Clark added.
Clark’s response suggests that she would rather be discussing her current situation than getting into her future plans. The comments did not indicate one way or another that she was or wasn’t going to play in BIG3. However, it likely wasn’t what Ice Cube wanted to hear.
In addition to the $5 million offer, the deal would allow Clark to play in the WNBA and receive substantial money from marketing contracts.
Clark Would Transform BIG3 Basketball
Ice Cube is well aware of what is at stake here: If Clark signs up to play in his league, the BIG3 will instantly receive a significant boost in viewership. In turn, the league will become more reputable and earn more money.
In addition to more viewers, sponsorship deals for Ice Cube’s league would most likely skyrocket. The potential earnings would far exceed Clark’s $5 million deal. Airing on CBS Sports, the BIG3 is a 3-on-3 basketball league active since 2017.
The team that scores 50 points first and leads by at least two points is awarded the win. The 3-on-3 league doesn’t have a clock or quarters, with the point threshold as the only method of winning games.
Rosters include five players — largely comprised of retired NBA players — with each team playing an eight-game schedule. In 2022, reports stated that BIG3 players earn $10,000 per game.
Clark’s BIG3 contract would smash the typical earnings of a player in the league. Her superstar status would undoubtedly result in more money for all involved in the BIG3, however.
Even if she rejects the offer, the BIG3 is receiving attention during a time that Clark’s brand is red-hot in the media.
Lil Durk Doubles Ice Cube’s Offer
31-year-old Chicago-based rapper Lil Durk got into the Clark frenzy by offering her $10 million on social media to play for his “3”.
Earlier in the evening, Lil Durk was commenting on his X account regarding Clark’s unbelievable 41-point performance in a 94-87 win over LSU in the Elite Eight. The rapper was so impressed that he threw out the $10 million offer.
The BIG3 is not currently affiliated with Lil Durk, but he seems interested in getting involved in basketball if Clark is there to cash in on. In any event, Clark’s odds to play in the BIG3 indicate that she will focus on preparing for the WNBA and ignore the offer.
Clark is expected to be the first pick of the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
