Caitlin Clark Unrivaled offer ‘to copy Lionel Messi’s huge $150million Inter Miami deal’
Caitlin Clark is reportedly in line for a ‘Lionel Messi-like’ offer to play in the new women’s basketball league, Unrivaled.
The venture, which launches in January, was co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier.
This will feature 30 of the best players in women’s basketball, including Kelsey Plum, Brittney Griner and Angel Reese, competing in a 3-on-3 format. Unrivaled promises the “highest salaries in the history of women’s professional sports league.”
And, said Front Office Sportthe start-up plans a ‘full-court press’ to persuade Clark to play as well.
The Indiana Fever guard has pushed women’s basketball to new heights and Unrivaled would pull off the kind of deal that brought Lionel Messi to Major League Soccer.
Caitlin Clark is reportedly in line for a ‘Lionel Messi-like’ offer to star in Unrivaled
The World Cup winner joined Inter Miami in a landmark $150 million move last summer
The World Cup winner joined Inter Miami last summer in a $150 million deal, including ownership opportunities, that also involved Apple and Adidas.
According to FOS, Clark could receive more than $1 million for less than three months of work, as well as stock and even revenue-sharing incentives.
The hope is that Clark will help Unrivaled attract new fans and improve ticket sales, TV audiences and advertising opportunities.
Clark was paid a base salary of just $76,535 for her rookie season in the WNBA after being selected first overall in the draft.
Messi was unveiled to fans in July 2023 by David Beckham (r) and the owners of Inter Miami
But she’s already become a marketing powerhouse, having signed an eight-year, $28 million contract with Nike. Clark is also sponsored by Gatorade, Wilson and Bose, among others.
Last week, Unrivaled reached an exclusive, multi-year agreement with TNT Sports for broadcast rights, with games also appearing on TruTV. All games are also streamed on Max.
The agreement includes 45 regular season games, with TNT broadcasting games twice a week and TruTV once a week.
Messi, meanwhile, is preparing for his first MLS postseason after leading Miami to the top of the Eastern Conference.