(NewsNation) — Ice Cube confirmed he offered University of Iowa college basketball star Caitlin Clark $5 million to play in his Big3 League, what he called a “historic” offer.
The rapper said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he had intended for the offer to remain private until she was done competing in the 2024 Women’s NCAA tournament with the Iowa Hawkeyes.
The offer of $5 million for 10 games would make Clark the highest-paid women’s basketball player and is substantially higher than what she would be able to make in the WNBA.
Clark would be the first woman to play in the league, but Ice Cube noted the Big3 had already broken boundaries with two female hall of famers as coaches.
The Iowa point guard is expected to be selected as the overall number-one pick in the upcoming WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever, where rookie salaries start at $76,535.
Yearly salaries for the WNBA rarely pass $300,000 and Ice Cube stated one reason for the offer is because female basketball players shouldn’t have to go overseas in the off-season to make ends meet.
Clark has already broken college basketball records, passing Pete Maravich’s record to become the NCAA’s top scorer.
Ice Cube said Clark’s participation in the 3-on-3 league wouldn’t prohibit her from playing in the WNBA and she would likely earn additional money from endorsements and merchandise.
Clark has already made $3.5 million in deals, with endorsements from Nike, State Farm, Gatorade and Gainbridge.