‘I turned down the Big3 to flip burgers in the WNBA’: Russell Wilson calls out WNBA as fans say Caitlin Clark should accept Ice Cube’s $5 million Big3 offer

Former Iowa Hawkeyes superstar Caitlin Clark was chosen in the highly anticipated 2024 WNBA draft. However, fans are shocked to learn that her rookie contract will see her earn just over $100 CEO of McDonald’s.

On April 15, Clark was drafted by the Indiana Fever. “I think the most important thing is that I have always just believed in myself. I went to Iowa with the intention of taking us to the Final Four. We did it twice. We went to two national championships and four Big Ten championships,” ESPN’s Holly Rowe said moments later.

“But I told my mom earlier, ‘I deserved it,’ and that’s why I’m so proud of it,” Clark added.

Six picks later, LSU star Angel Reese heard her name called. Reese will begin his skilled basketball profession with the Chicago Sky.

Clark and Reese helped take women’s college basketball to a level never seen before. The Elite Eight game between LSU and Iowa averaged out, according to Nielsen data 12.3 million viewers on ESPN.

While Clark and Reese financially benefited from name, image and likeness (NIL) contracts during their college careers, their WNBA salaries surprised some. For comparison, the value of Clark’s NIL transaction was estimated to be greater than $3 million to ON3. In the WNBA, Clark could earn about 10 percent of that quantity over 4 years.

According to the WNBA salary structure, Clark will earn $76,535 in 2024, $78,066 in 2025, $85,873 in 2026 and an option of $97,582 in 2027. Clark will likely earn a major amount through endorsements and other marketing channels, but this number stands in stark contrast to what the top picks in the NBA Draft are.

Basketball fans and other athletes commented on the shocking numbers.

Pittsburgh Steelers point guard Russell Wilson jumped into the conversation to support the WNBA players, saying, “These ladies deserve so much better. I pray for the day.”

Other fans suggested that Caitlin Clark reap the benefits of Ice Cube and take him up on his offer to join the Big3.

The hip-hop artist, actor, film producer and co-founder of Big3 recently raised eyebrows when he made a “historic offer” to Clark in an attempt to persuade her to join the popular 3-on-3 league.

TMZ initially reported that Big3’s offer was for as much as $5 million.

“We wanted to keep the offer private until Caitlin Clark was fighting for the championship. But I won’t deny what already exists.” Cube wrote on X. “BIG3 made a historic offer to Caitlin Clark. Why would not we? Caitlin is a generational athlete who can achieve great success in the BIG3.

Cube didn’t dispute that number when he appeared on ESPN’s “Pat McAfee Show” on March 27.

The $5 million figure can be significantly higher than any base salary Clark could earn in the WNBA. According to the data, the maximum salaries for the league’s 12 teams are an estimated $1,463,200 per team entering the season. data from Spotrac. There are currently no women playing in Ice Cube’s Big3 league, but as news about Clark’s and other WNBA players’ salaries continues to gain more attention, many are suggesting that Clark should seriously consider Cube’s offer.

“Dear Caitlyn Clark, don’t go #WNBA Take your talents abroad! Don’t give this league any influence. Let it continue to be the dumping ground it is! Understand #Big3 money and this foreign money and let the women of the WNBA continue to hate you,” he said X commentator.

“This Caitlyn Clark contract is sick. She could make more money playing in Ice Cube’s Big 3 league,” one other apprehensive a fan wrote on Twitter.

Other asked a fan“Caitlyn Clark Really Turned Down the Big Three’s Millions to Flip Hamburgers in the WNBA?”

On March 29, the 22-year-old responded to Ice Cube’s multi-million dollar offer to join his league.

“Honestly, I found out about Big3 at the exact same time as all of you and my main focus is playing basketball,” she said. “Honestly, I do not speak about these items with anyone. I actually have other individuals who take care of this, but they have not said a word to me about it.

Despite Clark’s initial refusal, Ice Cube tells ADWEEK that his offer stands still on the table.

Journalist, sports commentator and writer Jemele Hill also weighed in on the conversation and pointed out that WNBA players have been calling for higher salaries for years. She also noted that the WNBA season is way shorter than the NBA season and athletes are compensated in other ways, such as free housing and transportation.

“I’m already nervous about this conversation because WNBA players have been fighting for more money for years.” Hill wrote on X.

“And when this was said openly, a lot of you told them to shut up or reminded them that they’d no value. The NBA has over 50 years of investments, media presence, etc. After 27 years, the WNBA will not be the current NBA. So stop comparing them. Further context: This salary includes 4 months of basketball (40 games). Players also receive a free apartment + automobile. This doesn’t suggest the salaries are acceptable, but now you understand why so many female players play abroad to increase/complement their income.”

The WNBA plays a 40-game regular season, while NBA players compete in an 82-game season.

The WNBA and the players’ association negotiated a collective labor agreementt in 2020, which resulted in higher player salaries. The agreement also prolonged maternity advantages. Under the agreement, the players’ salaries were guaranteed during their maternity leave. Teams were also required to provide two-bedroom apartments for athletes with children under 13 years of age. The agreement also stipulated that after giving birth, moms would have “comfortable, safe and private” places to breastfeed and would have access to an annual $5,000 stipend to cover child care costs.

For almost the entire existence of the league, the WNBA has struggled to attract high levels of attention and viewership. Clark, Reese and others will essentially be tasked with taking the attention they’ve received from women’s college basketball to the skilled level.

A positive sign for the WNBA is the increase in ticket sales.

“We have seen great enthusiasm online and on social media,” Pacers Sports and Entertainment said in a press release to the company Press Association. “The organization also noted that enthusiasm led to an increase in ticket inquiries.”

‘I turned down the Big3 to flip burgers in the WNBA’: Russell Wilson calls out WNBA as fans say Caitlin Clark should accept Ice Cube’s $5 million Big3 offer