Caitlin Clark, one of the brightest stars in women’s basketball, was a hot target for the new league “Unrivaled,” but she chose not to compete in its first season. Despite being offered a hefty contract, Clark decided to focus on her rest and training for the 2025 WNBA season. However, she didn’t rule out joining Unrivaled in the future.
Caitlin Clark Turns Down Unrivaled But Leaves the Door Open for the Future
Unrivaled made a strong push to bring in Clark for its inaugural season, reportedly offering her $1 million to compete. This was a major increase from her WNBA rookie salary of $76,535, showing the league’s commitment to attracting top talent. Clark, coming off a standout rookie year with the Indiana Fever, was a major target for the league.
However, she opted to decline the offer, citing the need to enjoy some downtime after the Fever’s playoff exit. Clark mentioned that she planned to rest and focus on preparing for the next WNBA season, with golf becoming a part of her offseason routine.
When asked about the possibility of playing in Unrivaled, Clark remained open but non-committal. She said:
“We’ll see. I don’t know. Just taking it as it goes, and see if I want to play eventually.”
This response kept the door open for future opportunities, but for now, she wasn’t ready to jump into the league.
Clark’s decision to pass on Unrivaled made sense, given the grueling schedule she had already been through. After a full college season, a WNBA rookie year, and potentially playing in Unrivaled, Clark would have been playing basketball for nearly a full year.
The physical toll of that kind of commitment could have increased her risk of injury, something she undoubtedly considered when turning down the offer.
While fans and the league were disappointed, Clark’s choice to rest didn’t overshadow her achievements. Instead of pushing herself beyond her limits, she decided to recharge and avoid the burnout that often affects athletes who don’t take the time to recover properly.
Clark’s Decision To Skip This Season Makes Sense
Although Clark won’t be part of the league this season, Unrivaled is still set to launch with several big names. The Fever will be represented by Lexie Hull and Aliyah Boston, two talented players who will help make the league competitive right from the start.
Unrivaled’s debut is set for Jan. 17, and despite Clark’s absence, the league has managed to assemble an impressive roster of talent.
Unrivaled made moves to grow its reach even after Clark declined. The league had already expanded its rosters and included “wild card” spots for players. This got fans talking about the possibility of Clark changing her mind.
While she didn’t take a wild card spot, other high-profile players like rookie Cameron Brink and New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu signed on to compete in the inaugural season.
These players, along with Hull and Boston, ensure that the league will have a solid foundation as it kicks off.
KEEP READING: Top 10 Women’s College Basketball Players Right Now
Even though Clark won’t be playing in the first season of Unrivaled, it’s clear that the league is still very interested in her future participation. The $ 1 million offer made to Clark shows the league’s ambition to land major stars and build its brand.
While Clark decided to focus on her rest this year, Unrivaled’s efforts were not wasted. They managed to secure some of the biggest names in women’s basketball, proving their commitment to building a competitive and high-profile league.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
