Ice Cube's BIG3 Offers Caitlin Clark $5 Million to Join the League
ICARO Media Group
The offer, totaling $5 million, aims to entice the superstar college player to join the 3-on-3 league that already boasts former NBA players and international talent. Ice Cube, whose real name is O'Shea Jackson, considers Clark a "generational athlete" with the potential for tremendous success in the BIG3.
Ice Cube confirmed the offer in response to a TMZ story and expressed his excitement at the prospect of Clark joining the league. He revealed that BIG3 had intended to keep the offer private while Clark competed for the championship, but decided to acknowledge it after the news gained traction. Ice Cube sees Clark as a trailblazer who can break down more barriers for women athletes, as the BIG3 has already made history by appointing female coaches.
Despite the offer being made public, representatives for Ice Cube and Clark have not responded for comment as of yet. Ice Cube emphasized the BIG3's eagerness for an answer, stating that they are ready to embrace Clark should she decide to accept the offer. He acknowledges that until a definite response is received, the offer remains on the table.
Ice Cube further discussed the potential impact of adding Clark to the BIG3 during an appearance on the "Pat McAfee Show." He believes that Clark's inclusion could elevate the league to a whole new level, taking it into a "different stratosphere." The rapper-actor argues that female professional basketball players in the U.S. should have more options beyond the WNBA and avoid playing overseas to supplement their incomes.
Clark's extraordinary talent has already garnered attention, setting records and drawing significant television ratings. She became the NCAA women's career scoring leader in February against the University of Michigan, followed by breaking the overall scoring record in Division I basketball previously held by "Pistol Pete" Maravich. Her record-breaking performance attracted over 4 million viewers, making it the most-watched women's regular-season basketball game since 1999.
In late February, Clark announced her decision to enter the WNBA draft this spring. Ice Cube believes that with the BIG3's offer, female athletes can now have another choice within the U.S. professional basketball landscape. He argues that America's women athletes should not be compelled to play in foreign countries during the offseason to make ends meet, and that the BIG3 offers an alternative for them.
As Clark continues to excel in the NCAA Tournament, Ice Cube and the BIG3 eagerly await her response, hoping that she will consider the historic opportunity to join their league and leave a lasting impact on the world of women's basketball.