The Unrivaled Basketball League appears to be pulling out all of the stops to land Fever All-Star Caitlin Clark.
The new 3-on-3 league, which was founded by the Liberty’s Breanna Stewart and Lynx’s Napheesa Collier, announced Clark’s Fever teammate, Lexie Hull, as one of its 30 players on Wednesday.
Hull, who is close friends with Clark off the court, filled the 29th spot for the league’s inaugural season, which tips off in Jan. 2025.
Fever guard Caitlin Clark during the game against the Connecticut Sun during Round one Game two of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs on September 25, 2024 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.NBAE via Getty Images
Earlier this week, Unrivaled unveiled its 28th player, Aces guard Kate Martin, who is one of Clark’s best friends and her former teammate at Iowa.
Hull and Martin are both deserving of roster spots in the Unrivaled league following strong individual WNBA rookie campaigns.
The news came after Clark and Martin reunited with fellow Hawkeyes alum Gabbie Marshall last weekend, and attended a women’s basketball practice at Iowa.
Fever guard Caitlin Clark (L) and teammate Lexie Hull #10 during the first quarter of Game 2 of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs first round against the Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 25, 2024 in Uncasville, Connecticut.Getty Images
They also posted a TikTok video with current Hawkeyes player Jada Gyamfi.
Many are hoping Clark will be the final player on Unrivaled.
It’s worth noting Unrivaled unintentionally — or intentionally, as they’ve put on a master class in marketing the new league on social media — leaned into the buzz around Clark’s potential involvement.
Fever guard Caitlin Clark and former teammate Kate Martin #20 of the Las Vegas Aces before the game on July 2, 2024 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.NBAE via Getty Images
Unrivaled hit Clark with a “[Lionel] Messi-like offer” to join the league, according to Front Office Sports.
That offer from the league, which was created so that players can make money while playing year-round in the US instead of going overseas, reportedly is for more than $1 million plus revenue-sharing opportunities.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) possesses the ball during the first half against the Connecticut Sun during game two of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs at Mohegan Sun Arena.USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Clark, who became one of the faces of the NIL era while at Iowa, is making seven figures with endorsements deals with Wilson, Nike, Gatorade, State Farm and many more.
Unrivaled recently inked a multi-year broadcasting deal with TNT — and players participating in its inaugural season get equity in the league.
The 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year has yet to reveal if she plans to play in a league in the WNBA offseason.
Relative Articles
None found
