Unrivaled League offered Caitlin Clark over $1 million for 10 weeks of work in Miami in January. After her successful Rookie of the Year campaign with the Indiana Fever, she turned down the offer, despite the win-win opportunity for both sides. The league, founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, may be holding a grudge.
Alex Bazzell, Collier’s husband and President of Unrivaled, clarified that they were disappointed by her rejection but still admired her talent and contributions to the game. They believed she would excel in the 3×3 format due to her passing skills and speed.
Although Unrivaled made a strong push to recruit Clark, they understood her need for rest and recovery. Bazzell, a renowned NBA and WNBA trainer, acknowledged the importance of balance and respecting her offseason break.
While Clark did not join the league in its inaugural season, Unrivaled remains hopeful that she will consider playing in the future. They also mentioned other WNBA stars who opted out of participating, like A’ja Wilson and Jonquel Jones.
Despite some major names missing from the roster, including Kelsey Plum, Unrivaled filled up with talent like Angel Reese and Lexie Hull. The league expanded from 30 to 36 spots, leaving room for potential additions in the upcoming seasons.
