Sports
Ice Cube Shares Shocking Details About Caitlin Clark’s Big3 Deal, Accusing WNBA Star’s Agents of Sabotage and Working for ‘NBA Mob’ to Block ‘Mega’ Deal
Rapper, actor and co-founder of Big3 Ice Cube made headlines in March when it was reported that he had made a “historic” $5 million contract offer to the basketball star Caitlin Clark.
Unfortunately, Clark quickly turned down the offer to deal with her college profession before landing at Indiana, where she’s going to earn just over $300,000 before endorsements. Now Ice Cube has dropped a bombshell, revealing that Caitlin stands to make far more than the reported $5 million within the Big 3 and has likely been blocked by her own team.
In an article shared with Ice Cube’s official websitethe rapper’s business partner and co-founder of Big3 Jeff Kwatinetz detailed the league’s pursuit of Clark. However, it was the shocking reveal of their offer to Clark that left many fans in awe.
“From a financial standpoint, compared to her paltry WNBA salary, it was a MEGA deal,” Kwatinetz said. “Ten million dollars in salary over two years, multi-million-dollar percentage ownership of the team, fifty percent of the revenue from sales of merchandise derived from her name and likeness, and ownership of the BIG3 documentary with a seven-figure advance. In total, we’re talking about fifteen million dollars or more for playing just ten games a season. While allowing her to play in the WNBA. Absolutely the best of both worlds!”
Kwatinetz also shed some light on the Big Three’s thought process behind the unprecedented offer to Clark.
“As a female athlete playing in BIG3, she not only represents an incredibly fun business, but would also provide our league with a great engine to break down further stereotypes and promote diversity by showcasing women competing at a world-class level against men. That’s why we made an offer to Caitlin,” Kwatinetz explained.
However, the offer of a 3-on-3 men’s basketball league organized by Ice Cube never caught Clark’s eye.
“I found out about Big3 at the exact same time as all of you and my main focus is playing basketball.” Clark told reporters March 29. “Honestly, I don’t talk about these things with anyone. I have other people who deal with this, but they haven’t said a word to me about it.
Kwatinetz placed the blame squarely on sports agents and basketball executives, accusing them of deliberately concealing the offer to Clark.
“We have reason to believe that these agents and executives controlling the sport never even shared our pioneering offer with Caitlin, let alone allowed Caitlin to meet with BIG3 to discuss the opportunity,” Kwatinetz wrote.
He continued: “From our perspective, it appears these representatives should not working for a person customer like Caitlin. They appear to be working for the NBA mafia as their client list features a “who’s who” of NBA players. Do we expect them to select Caitlin over the NBA, the first employer of their highest-paid clients? The NBA is driven by fear and ensures that the industry of agents, lawyers, managers and networks stays in check. This line is meant to prevent the BIG3 from succeeding, even when it stunts the expansion of women’s basketball.
On April 15, Clark was chosen No. 1 within the WNBA draft. However, some fans were shocked to learn that her debut contract would allow her to earn a bit of greater than $1.50 CEO of McDonald’s.
Clark’s name, image and likeness (NIL) transactions were estimated to be price greater than $3 million He3. 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 big amount through endorsements and other marketing channels, but this number stands in stark contrast to what the highest picks within the NBA Draft are.
April 19 Wall Street JournalI reported that Clark was on the verge of signing an eight-year contract price up to $28 million with sportswear giant Nike.
The Big3 band was founded in 2017. Team rosters are mostly made up of former NBA stars who’re within the twilight of their careers.