Ice Cube recently took to social media to confirm reports of extending Caitlin Clark a MAJOR deal to join the BIG3 league.
According to CNN, the Generation X rapper offered her millions, however, he intended for the terms of the agreement to remain private.
The BIG3 is a 3-on-3 professional basketball league established by the movie mogul in 2017. The organization has employed numerous former NBA players as team members and WNBA members as coaches.
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Caitlin Clark’s Contract Details
Cube accompanied his X announcement on Wednesday (March 27) with the story from TMZ that claimed he offered the guard a $5 million dollar contract. But he didn’t explicitly confirm the dollar amount offered.
The BIG3 told CNN the deal specifies that Caitlin only has to play 10 games to secure the cash. This includes eight regular-season and two playoff games.
If she accepts the deal, Caitlin will be the first female player since the team’s inception.
“We intended the offer to remain private while Caitlin Clark plays for the championship,” the 54-year-old stated. “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.”
This isn’t the first time he’s given opportunities to women in the league — WNBA legends Nancy Lieberman and Lisa Leslie are among the coaching staff.
Ice Cube Advocates For Women in BIG3
Additionally, the actor isn’t worried about those who will criticize Caitlin joining a men’s team.
The Cali Native stated, “The skeptics laughed when we made Nancy Lieberman the first female coach of a men’s pro team, and she won the championship in her first year. Then Lisa Leslie won it all year two. With our offer, Caitlin Clark can make history and break down even more barriers for women athletes.”
Cube believes female players should have more opportunities to earn money without traveling overseas. Another U.S. option is vital, he says.
“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. 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,” he stated.
The director believes Caitlin’s deal will blaze a trail for more female athletes.
“Our pathbreaking offer to Caitlin Clark demonstrates that BIG3 now offers another choice for athletes,” Cube added.
The NCAA Division 1 all-time leading scorer has piqued the WNBA’s interest. But according to ABC15, the average WNBA player’s salary averaged $103,000 in 2020, while the NBA’s players earned roughly $9.4 million.
While this could be a life-changing offer for Caitlin, the basketball player is already raking in good money. According to USA Today, her name-image-likeness deals valuation is already estimated at around $3.5 million.
