“She Would Have Got Killed” – Nick Young Backs Caitlin Clark’s Move to Make 71x Less in WNBA for Nike Deal

With Nick Young on DJ Vlad, the subject of Caitlin Clark’s salary came up once more even though most were talking about her game since she made her WNBA debut. Both Young and his interviewer agreed that it’s unfair to be mad that the top pick of the 2024 WNBA draft only makes $70,000 a year when no one is giving the WNBA the viewership to pay its players better. It’s not surprising that potentially better payouts are what lures WNBA players overseas or to other leagues like the Big3.

But if you ask Nick Young (which Vlad did), it’s a good thing that Clark chose the WNBA over the Big3 for at least two reasons. He said, “I don’t know but she would have got killed playing with us though.” ‘Swaggy P’ is a head coach on the Enemies team in the Big3. He’s somewhat critical of the format on occasion. He said that the Big3 is full of former professionals who can’t do more than foul to get ahead. And that could be very rough on someone straight out of college basketball.

But other than that, he also believes Clark got another better opportunity in the WNBA. Vlad said, “It should be good and she got a $20 million Nike deal so it really kind of doesn’t matter… you’re just playing for the Nike deal.” ‘SwaggyP’ absolutely agreed. It hasn’t been officially announced yet but chatter has been going around since it was purported she’s close to inking an 8 figure deal. It appears the figure is close to $28 million, which by most fans’ standards is absolutely deserving of Clark’s status.

In the lead-up to the draft, Ice Cube had infamously offered Clark a $5 million contract to play on his 3vs3 league, Big3. Clark, to most veterans’ relief, stuck to the WNBA track. Her $338,000 contract earns her about $76,000 a year and matches the other top rookies in the league. Vlad crunched the numbers and woefully pointed out that it is 71 times less than the $5 million she could’ve made in one summer with the Big3.

Nike balances what the WNBA couldn’t offer. And Young may have a point that it wouldn’t have been possible if Clark went the Big3 route.

Caitlin Clark made a lucrative decision

Ice Cube was widely disparaged for trying to draw Clark away from the WNBA even though most grudgingly admitted that the WNBA would never be able to match that offer. However, the new class of NCAA women’s basketball like Clark, Angel Reese, and Kamilla Cardoso were inspirations for female athletes and the big draw for the WNBA that people were craving. But if she went for the Big3, she may not have been able to negotiate the 8-figure Nike deal.

As of 2018, Adidas has been the official Big3 partner with an entire retail line of sneakers, apparel, and equipment. Not only would that have presented a conflict of interest to Clark, but it would’ve prevented her from joining another exclusive club. Unlike the NBA, there are only three active WNBA players (Breanna Stewart, Elena Delle Donne, and Sabrina Ionescu) with signature shoe deals. Clark’s Nike deal has a definite signature shoe in the works with a lot of marketable potential.

Hence, ‘Swaggy P’ has a valid point. Clark hasn’t picked 71x less payout over the Big3. She’s chosen Nike. A smart choice in his books.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato had to say about the marketing genius, watch this video.