It must have truly been an EUREKA moment when Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier got the idea of having a women’s basketball league in Miami. The league scheduled to start in January next year will have 30 players in the inaugural season. As we inch closer to the end of the year, there are growing murmurs that the Unrivaled has to select the remaining 4 players, one of which could be Caitlin Clark. Perhaps, the league needs a star who can draw large crowds so that the 3×3 basketball league becomes a success from the get-go. However, one of the problems that could arise is with her rival Angel Reese, who might feel unimportant to the league.
On Sunday’s episode of Come And Talk 2 Me, KiAnna Nycole joined Treasure Wilson to answer some important questions about the league. While players like Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, Kahleah Copper, Brittney Griner, Reese, the co-founders themselves, and many others have already filled up the initial 26 of the 30 spots, four still remain—one of which will most probably be occupied by Caitlin Clark. Or at least that’s what it definitely looks like, as the league is willing to go to any lengths to get the star player in.
As per Wilson, “They don’t have confirmation from basketball star Caitlyn Clark so the news is HiAnna, they’re willing to give Caitlyn Clark $1 million in salary plus equity and a revenue share for three months of work they’re also thinking about giving her a stake into broadcasting rights.” The league recently got a deal with TNT Sports which might be a profitable offer for Clark.
Notably, Reese was the 10th player to join the Unrivaled and will reportedly earn around $250,000 in salary alone, like the rest of her mates. But that’s still a 750,000 difference, which many might feel is unfair. However, if you ask HiAnna Nycole, if anything, Clark absolutely deserves it…
“It’s fair. It’s business like your name and your reputation. And your talent brings in dollar. Brings in fans. Brings in prestige. Like she has a platform, so they’re paying her for the platform that she brings. And I think that goes across with anything like there are some players getting paid more, getting more deals doing whatever because they have a personality. They have a presence. They have appeal and you know businesses recognize that and they want to put dollars into that to get that reach, so I don’t think it’s unfair at all, right,” Nycole stated.
And let’s not forget that the league will reportedly give the 30 players 15% owner equity share in the inaugural season. As per The Triibe, with Unrivaled currently valued at $100 million, that 15% is worth $15 million to the players—one million for them each. And honestly, Reese will be more than happy to draw a salary like that, especially given her eye-opening WNBA salary confession. “I just hope you know the WNBA don’t pay my bills at all…“I don’t even think that pays one of my bills. Literally, I’m trying to think of my rent for where I stay at [in Chicago]. I’m gonna do the math real quick. I’m living beyond my means! I wouldn’t even be able to get a sandwich if I wanted to,” she added. “I wouldn’t be able to eat. I wouldn’t be able to live,” she said during a livestream this month.
Therefore, while this $750K difference will surely pinch the Chi-Town Barbie, the league is definitely going to be a game-changer. As for Caitlin Clark, how open is she to join the league backed by investors including US women’s soccer legend Alex Morgan, former NBA star Carmelo Anthony, former NBA MVP and head coach Steve Nash, golfer Michelle Wise West and Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman?
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese’s off-season yearnings are different
When athletes were joining Unrivaled, Clark had revealed that all she needed was to contribute her best for the WNBA team – the Indiana Fever. Next, when the season ended, the point guard divulged that she would be playing golf in the offseason. She even joined Martha Foyer-Faulconer and learned some tactics of the new sport from her.
Before that, even in her Instagram post when the Fever were eliminated from the playoffs, Clark had clearly written that she would see her fans in “year two.” All this led to many speculating that she wouldn’t be joining the league. Meanwhile, Reese has her own issues.
Reese, much like other players, must have been looking for a league to play in the offseason. And what better than having Unrivaled, if she has the chance to take home more than a million dollars. For the unversed, Reese was signed to the Chicago Sky on a four year, $324,383 deal (73,439 in her rookie season, with a slight salary increase to $74,909 in 2025). However, we must forget that the 22-year-old is also part of some lucrative deals, thanks to her Uncle Shaq. The WNBA star recently became a Hershey’s brand ambassador, with a collaborative, official collection of Reese’s-branded apparel launching soon after. Reese also entered a multiyear deal with Reebok, and will also get a signature shoe with the brand in 2026.
Hopefully, Reese will rationalize the league’s behavior towards Clark. And instead make the most of the opportunity to perform her best in Miami, which might give her a bigger share in the next season onwards.
