The WNBA’s popularity has risen twofold in the last two-three seasons. Stars like Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart and many more have worked hard to push the league where it is right now. With the arrival of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese after their rift caught a lot of attention, WNBA has seen a huge spike in its audience. Many credit Clark for this astronomic rise.
With growth in women’s basketball, Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier saw an opportunity for another venture in women’s basketball. That’s how the Unrivaled League came into place. The 3×3 basketball league instantly attracted eyes with its high paced, and electric format.
Many stars like Sabrina Ionescu, Angel Reese, Alyssa Thomas and more joined the league in its inaugural season. However, one of the biggest names in women’s basketball, Caitlin Clark, still hasn’t joined the league. And analyst Dave Sampson questions the decision.
Sampson interestingly compared Caitlin Clark and one of soccer’s biggest legends, David Beckham. He voiced his surprise as to why Clark is not a part of Unrivaled especially after new $340 million valuation.
“This is where my thought process ends because Caitlin Clark was offered equity last year at a $34 million valuation. Is that offer still standing? Is Unrivaled willing to make Caitlin Clark like MLS made David Beckham, where you can get an expansion team no matter how long it takes at this very tiny expansion fee, $25 million. While other teams have gotten expansion teams and they’ve paid way more in expansion fees since the David Beckham 25 million,” Sampson said. (3:39)
“When Caitlin Clark was offered equity, was she offered at 34 million?” he continued. “And is that offer still on the table? ‘Cause if it is, how is Caitlin Clark not accepting? Why would she not meet with Unrivaled and say, ‘I want to be a partner. I will take the equity and I’ll play for you only if I’m not injured. I’ll play for you if I’ve played for the Fever the entire season and only lost two games.’
“You can negotiate a provision that allows you to play or not play at your pleasure if you’re Caitlin Clark. If you’re Caitlin Clark, you’ve earned the right to make the money without doing the work, going full Kawhi. You’ve earned that. Why would they not have done that deal yet?”
The analyst also speculated that Unrivaled probably haven’t signed Caitlin Clark so that they could then claim how they reached a commanding value of $340 million without the Indiana Fever star.
Unrivaled’s First Season Without Caitlin Clark
In the first season, Napheesa Collier’s team Lunar Owls ended up topping the regular season with 13 wins and only one loss. Chelsea Gray and Angel Reese’s Rose won eight games and lost six to clinch second place.
Despite the number 1 seed, Phee’s Owls faltered and could not reach the final. In a close final, Rose were crowned champions over Arike Ogunbowale’s Vinyl. Rose edged 62-54 with Chelsea Gray winning the finals MVP.
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