Caitlin Clark, one of the most electrifying athletes in women’s basketball, is reportedly on the verge of receiving a monumental offer from Unrivaled, a rising three-on-three women’s basketball league. This deal, according to Front Office Sports, is comparable to Lionel Messi’s historic contract when he joined Inter Miami in the MLS, a deal that changed the landscape of U.S. soccer.
Unrivaled already boasts an impressive lineup of stars, including WNBA players like Kelsey Plum, Arike Ogunbowale, and Angel Reese. However, Clark, with her unique combination of basketball prowess and marketability, has drawn attention for a potential deal that could surpass $1 million for just three months of competition. This isn’t just a salary offer either—Clark’s package is expected to include equity in the league and a share of revenue streams, a strategy designed to create long-term financial security and greater investment in the growth of the sport.
The comparison to Messi is no exaggeration. Messi’s contract with Inter Miami included $150 million in salary, equity in the team, and revenue sharing from deals involving Apple’s MLS Season Pass and other lucrative avenues. Clark’s rise to fame, which already includes deals with Nike, State Farm, Gatorade, and Wilson, positions her similarly to Messi, as a global figure capable of boosting the visibility and commercial viability of her sport.
The unique structure of Unrivaled—offering its players equity and revenue-sharing opportunities—is an unprecedented move in women’s sports, signaling a shift toward more sustainable financial models for female athletes. Much like Messi’s groundbreaking contract, which blurred the lines between athlete and stakeholder, Clark’s potential deal could represent a turning point for the economics of women’s basketball, giving top-tier athletes more control and benefit from the sport’s growing success.
Caitlin Clark’s influence in women’s basketball continues to grow, and this move could place her at the center of a revolutionary era for the sport. Whether or not she accepts the offer, the fact that such a proposal is on the table speaks volumes about her impact on the game and the future of women’s basketball as a whole.
