What is the Big 3 League? Ice Cube has offered Caitlin Clark $5 million to play 3-on-3 basketball

While news of the Iowa star signing up for Ice Cube’s league will likely turn heads, it doesn’t seem so far-fetched when one takes a closer look at what’s in it for everybody involved. Indeed, as possibly the biggest name in women’s basketball at the moment, Caitlin Clark is simply expanding her brand, while the rapper - who needs no introduction - is simply doing the same.

Ice Cube & BIG3 want Caitlin Clark

There’s been a lot of chatter, but ultimately what is clear is that Caitlin Clark is going to be a star one way or another. If you missed it, the Iowa sensation was recently offered a massive contract by Ice Cube and his BIG3 basketball league, to the tune of $5 million for a total of 10 games in the 3-on-3 league. According to TMZ, it doesn’t stop there either, as Clark could see even more money from endorsements and merchandising. For perspective, Clark recently declared for the WNBA’s upcoming Draft, which means that she’s looking at an average salary that doesn’t typically go above $300K per year.

With that in mind, one can’t argue the point that Clark could get a lot more bang for her buck if she goes with Ice Cube and his league. To be clear, if she were to put pen to paper on such a deal, it would make her the highest-paid women’s basketball player ever. Yet, what’s even more impressive is the fact that Ice Cube himself stated that Clark would still be permitted to play in the WNBA regardless of any deal that is agreed upon. The N.W.A co-founder has made it clear that he sees the BIG3 as an alternative to the overseas sessions that WNBA players engage in during the offseason.

“America’s women athletes should not be forced to spend their off seasons playing in often dismal and dubious foreign countries just to make ends meet,” Ice Cube posted on X. “And they should have more than just one professional option in the US at a time when American pro sports leagues are being infiltrated by autocratic, anti-women regimes such as Qatar. Our pathbreaking offer to Caitlin Clark demonstrates that BIG3 now offers another choice for athletes.”

Reading between the lines with Ice Cube

Now, while Ice Cube didn’t refer to any specific situation, it seems relatively clear that he was referring to WNBA superstar Brittney Griner and her ordeal in Russia. If you recall, Griner - who played for several seasons in Russia - was arrested in a Russian airport in February 2022 after several marijuana cartridges were found in her luggage.

Regardless of your stance on the scenario, what we can say is that Griner insisted that she did not mean to bring the cartridges into the country, and the Russian government was having none of it. To that end, she was sentenced to nine years in prison and we’re it not for some very creative diplomatic relations between the U.S.A. and Russia would almost certainly still be there. What’s the point here? There is a growing understanding that the women’s game is fertile in terms of marketing opportunities and can be even more so with a little help.

Are Ice Cube and his league addressing that situation? Time will tell. As for Clark herself, one has to imagine that we won’t see a response anytime soon. With the coming Draft and her almost certain No. 1 status, she’s got a lot to think about. On the other hand, we’re talking about a player who is accustomed to the spotlight and has no problem with it. Could we see her splitting her time between acclimatizing to the WNBA, while accumulating valuable experience in the BIG3? Whatever the case, this seems like a story to keep an eye on.