Caitlin Clark, the electrifying rookie who took the WNBA by storm this season, is now at the center of a game-changing moment in women’s basketball. The Unrivaled League—a new, high-profile 3-on-3 competition—reportedly wants Clark as the face of its inaugural season, and they’re preparing an offer that’s drawing comparisons to Lionel Messi’s historic move to Major League Soccer.

But is it all too little, too late? And what does this mean for the WNBA, women’s sports, and Clark herself?

A League Built for Stars

The Unrivaled League is not just another startup. Co-founded by superstar Breanna Stewart and attorney Nephi Collier, it promises to pay its 30 players the highest salaries in professional women’s sports history. That’s not just hype: insiders say the league is considering equity, revenue sharing, and salaries that could reach $1 million for less than three months of work.

For Clark, whose WNBA base salary is just $76,000, the difference is staggering. It’s a Messi-style deal—think ownership stakes, lucrative incentives, and the chance to redefine what’s possible for female athletes.

“Caitlin Clark should be one of the top paid players in the world just for the sheer numbers she’s bringing,” says a Unrivaled co-founder. “People are having to move venues when she comes to play, and she’s getting paid like $75,000 a year.”

The Caitlin Clark Effect

Clark’s impact on the sport is already legendary. Ranked as the fourth most marketable athlete in the world by SportsPro London—just ahead of Messi—her games have sold out arenas, boosted TV ratings, and sparked a new wave of fandom.

The WNBA has benefited massively from her star power, with ticket sales and viewership spiking whenever she’s on the court. Yet, as the Unrivaled League prepares its blockbuster offer, some insiders argue that the WNBA hasn’t done enough to recognize her value.

“She’s built an impressive portfolio of corporate sponsors—Nike, State Farm, Gatorade, Wilson, Bose, Buick, and more,” one analyst notes. “But she probably wants to get paid more by her actual employers, instead of relying on side deals all the time.”

Messi’s Blueprint: Big Money, Big Ownership

The comparison to Messi’s MLS deal is more than marketing spin. When Inter Miami signed Messi in 2023, they offered far more than a salary. Messi received a $150 million agreement, half-ownership in the team, and a cut of Apple’s MLS Season Pass revenue. The Unrivaled League is reportedly looking at similar creative packages to lure Clark.

“We want to set a new standard in the marketplace,” a league representative told Front Office Sports. “We’re not disclosing individual player compensation packages or league financials at this time.”

But sources confirm that the league’s sliding scale will reward players with higher social media followings and celebrity status. For Clark—one of the most watched athletes on TV since Tiger Woods—it’s a payday that matches her influence.

WNBA: A League at a Crossroads

The timing couldn’t be more dramatic. The WNBA Players Union just opted out of its collective bargaining agreement, opening the door for new negotiations—and new opportunities. Meanwhile, Unrivaled is set to debut in Miami in January 2025, with a three-week season and playoffs running eight weeks.

With 26 of 30 roster spots already filled, speculation is swirling over whether Clark will join. The league’s partnership with TNT Sports means every game will be nationally televised, raising the stakes for everyone involved.

Is the WNBA Losing Its Star?

Some critics argue that the WNBA is losing touch with its core fans and biggest stars. “They’re not serious about business. They don’t care about traditional sports fans,” one commentator claims. “It’s a little cult that puts out political statements and wears ‘vote’ t-shirts. They’re a charity, not a business.”

While these opinions are divisive, they reflect real frustration among fans who want to see women’s basketball reach its full potential. For Clark, the choice is clear: stay with the WNBA, where her influence is undeniable but her compensation is limited, or join Unrivaled, where she could help build a new legacy—and get paid accordingly.

The Risk—and the Reward

Not everyone is convinced that Unrivaled is the answer. Some warn that the league is unproven, and that Clark’s health and career longevity could be at risk with too many commitments. Others argue that a million-dollar salary is still a fraction of what NBA stars earn—LeBron James will make $48.7 million this season, while Steph Curry’s salary tops $55 million.

Yet, for Clark, the real value may be in ownership, equity, and the chance to shape the future of women’s sports.

What’s Next for Caitlin Clark?

Clark has kept a low profile since her rookie season ended, but recent Fever social media posts show her working out and training hard. Is she preparing for Unrivaled, or just honing her game for another WNBA run?

Either way, the basketball world is watching. Unrivaled wants Clark to help attract new fans, boost ticket sales, and drive television ratings. With a multi-year TNT Sports broadcast deal and a roster full of stars—Chelsea Gray, Angel Reese, and more—the league is betting big on its future.

The main question: who will Clark team up with? Will she join forces with free agents headed to the Fever, or form a super-team with rivals like Plum or Reese?