Caitlin Clark is reportedly in line for a ‘Lionel Messi-like’ offer to play in the new women’s basketball league, Unrivaled.
The venture, which begins in January, was co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier.
It will see 30 of the best players in women’s basketball, including Kelsey Plum, Brittney Griner and Angel Reese, compete in a 3-on-3 format. Unrivaled promises the ‘highest salaries in professional women’s sports league history’.
And, according to Front Office Sports, the start-up is plotting a ‘full-court press’ to coax Clark to play, too.
The Indiana Fever guard has propelled women’s basketball to new heights and Unrivaled is said to be putting together the type of deal that brought Lionel Messi to Major League Soccer.
Caitlin Clark is reportedly in line for a ‘Lionel Messi-like’ offer to play in Unrivaled
The World Cup winner joined Inter Miami last summer in a landmark $150million deal
The World Cup winner joined Inter Miami last summer in a $150million deal that included ownership opportunities and involved Apple and Adidas, too.
According to FOS, Clark could be offered more than $1million for less than three months’ work, as well as equity and even revenue-sharing incentives, too.
The hope is that Clark would help Unrivaled attract new fans and improve ticket sales, TV audiences and advertising opportunities.
Clark was paid a base salary of just $76,535 for her rookie season in the WNBA, after she was selected first overall in the draft.
Messi was unveiled to fans by David Beckham (r) and Inter Miami’s owners in July 2023
But she has already become a marketing powerhouse, having signed an eight-year, $28m contract with Nike. Clark is also sponsored by the likes of Gatorade, Wilson and Bose, too.
Last week, Unrivaled reached an exclusive, multi-year agreement with TNT Sports for broadcast rights, with games also set to appear on TruTV. All games will also be streamed on Max.
The agreement spans 45 regular season matchups, with TNT set to broadcast games twice per week and TruTV once a week.
Messi, meanwhile, is preparing for his first MLS postseason after leading Miami to the top of the Eastern Conference.
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