Caitlin Clark has seized headlines yet again—this time with a jaw‑dropping $5 million offer from Ice Cube’s BIG3 league.

The deal, touted as “historic” and aimed at making her the first woman to suit up in the men’s three‑on‑three league, came with the promise of eight regular‑season games (and possibly two playoffs), all while leaving her WNBA future unscathed.

Ice Cube—co‑founder of BIG3—called Caitlin a “generational athlete” whose presence alone would elevate his league’s visibility and appeal.

He even argued that American women deserve more professional options than heading overseas for money, positioning his offer as a game‑changer in that context.

Though widely reported as a $5 million offer, further details revealed by Cube and others suggest a potential two‑year structure—$5 million per year—along with possible merchandising rights and team ownership stakes, possibly valuing the entire proposal at $15 million or more.

Despite the allure, Clark ultimately declined, choosing instead to continue her path in the WNBA after being drafted first overall by the Indiana Fever. There, her earnings may pale next to BIG3 money—around $338,000 over four years—but her endorsements, including a landmark deal with Nike, tipped the financial scales in her favor.

Meanwhile, Angel Reese—Clark’s collegiate adversary turned WNBA rival—did not receive a comparable offer. When questioned, Ice Cube explained that his corporate sponsors believed Clark’s superstar power would drive returns; they didn’t say the same about Reese. “It ain’t nothing personal,” Cube insisted.

That answer provoked a backlash. Former Chicago Sky star Monique Currie dismissed the question of Reese’s exclusion as “dumb,” defending her value on and off the court.

Online fandom—particularly across social media platforms like X—fumed, with many pointing to racial overtones and criticizing what felt like a commercial snub of Reese’s growing influence.

Adding fuel to the fire was a clip from a recent Fever–Sky game where Reese, after a hard foul, appeared to chase Clark across the court, even hurling expletives like “You crazy as f***” and “You f***ing grab!” per a lip‑reader’s account. Though she later downplayed it as “just part of basketball,” the incident stirred fans and intensified emotions.

In an entirely different display of frustration, Reese was also caught slapping a clipboard out of a staffer’s hand late in a tight WNBA contest—an emotional flare rooted in officiating grievances, but ultimately overshadowing another dominant double‑double performance.

Clark, for her part, has consistently taken the high road. She defended Reese during incidents of racist fan chants, decrying that kind of behavior and supporting the WNBA’s investigation into such hate speech.

And when both were named teammates for the WNBA All‑Star Game, Clark graciously reflected on their rivalry and mutual respect, remarking, “We don’t hate each other,” and underscoring the bigger picture of uplifting women’s basketball.

This dynamic rivalry—rooted in that iconic NCAA showdown where Reese’s “You can’t see me” gesture against Clark went viral—has birthed a cultural movement. The matchup captured 4.5 million viewers, thrusting both athletes to the forefront of the sport and fueling conversations on race, media representation, and the evolving face of women’s basketball.

As Caitlin’s BIG3 offer faded into the rearview, she refocused on her WNBA ascent and endorsement momentum. Reese continued carving her own path—locker room leader, top rebounder, signature sneaker athlete—though critics argue mainstream platforms still undervalue her cultural and athletic impact.

In the end, this saga plays out on multiple levels: a high‑stakes financial overture, an emotional reaction from a rival, and a broader reckoning with how athletes—especially Black female stars—are valued.

While Caitlin rejected the money to stay in her lane, Reese’s absence from the offer package speaks loudly about whose star power is easiest to monetize. Yet, neither player has lost sight of the bigger goals: advancing the WNBA, challenging norms, and inspiring countless fans—on and off the court.