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With the 2024 WNBA season over, the focus has now been on the launch of Unrivaled, a new 3-on-3 league set to tip off in January. Created by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, Unrivaled will happen yearly during the WNBA's offseason. Along with Collier and Stewart, a lineup of other top WNBA players have signed on, including Angel Reese, Kelsey Plum, Arike Ogunbowale, Brittany Griner and Chelsea Gray.
UConn star Paige Bueckers is also set to join in 2026 when she wraps up college. But all the talk is about Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark, with rumors saying that Unrivaled might offer her a $1 million salary and even equity in the league if she joins. For many fans, Clark’s presence would be a game-changer for Unrivaled, and some are even saying the league’s future success might depend on her joining.
© Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images On Thursday, Unrivaled filled its 29th spot but also expanded from 30 to 36 after "surpassing its initial revenue goals." According to Sportico's Eric Jackson , in response to the Clark speculation, Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell sent a direct message to the Fever star and pushed back on the idea that the league is “applying a full-court press” to get her on board. “We’re always going to have a roster spot for Caitlin Clark," Bazzell said.
"We’re not applying a full-court press the way people think. We are letting her decompress from basketball. .
.. She knows that we have a spot for her when she’s ready.
” Bazell also admitted the league is still in a position to succeed without her. “Proud of what we’ve built, and we’re in a position to succeed," Bazzell added. "But if she played, she would take it to another level.
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She knows we would love to have her.” It's unclear where Clark's head is in terms of joining, but there's no denying she would draw more eyes to the league. She did that with the WNBA as soon as she was drafted first overall by the Fever.
ESPN's WNBA coverage skyrocketed by 170% per game from 2023 to 2024. In addition to averaging 19.2 points and 5.
7 rebounds per game, she also led the league with 8.4 assists. The full list of Unrivaled players will be revealed on Nov.
20. Related: Lexie Hull Reveals Moment Caitlin Clark Changed City of Indianapolis.
