From Iowa to Indiana and now the center of a WNBA crossover debate? Caitlin Clark knows how to keep basketball fans on their toes. So, when ESPN said she wouldn’t join the $100 million 3-on-3 league backed by heavy hitters like State Farm and TNT, it screamed: CONTROVERSIAL. Guess that’s why this ex-ESPN isn’t buying it. And honestly, it’s worth paying attention to his take…

Dan Dakich, never one to sugarcoat things, laid it out on Don’t @ Me: “Let me put two and two together for you WNBA fans. A new league is opening, it’s down in Miami, State Farm, who is Caitlin Clark’s sugar daddy, is the main sponsor, $100 million. And she ain’t playing? On no!” Bold, right? He even hinted “There’s a backstory.” So, what’s the backstory?

If you wanna go by Dakich’s claims then Clark “has already agreed to play in this (Unrivaled). State Farm decided to give that money in hopes that Caitlin Clark plays? Au contriare.” Dakich ended his perspective by adding, “I’m sure one came before the other. Caitlin agreed, State Farm sponsored.” Yeah! But it’s according to him. And you can see why he made such a claim.

Sure, there are two wildcard spots still up for grabs, but as it stands, her name isn’t there. According to The Athletic, the league has left the door wide open, hoping Clark changes her mind. “If she happens to change her mind this year, or in future years, Unrivaled would seemingly still sign her,” a source shared. Sounds like they’re rolling out the red carpet and then some.

Unrivaled signed Caitlin Clark’s closest people: Kate Martin, Lexie Hull, and Aliyah Boston to play for them. They released a 22-minute-long roster allocation video to lure in fans. They even offered her a Lionel Messi-like offer with stakes in the league itself. But what’s stopping her?

Maybe it’s the Indiana Fever factor. Clark’s star power has already injected life into the WNBA, and as Dakich put it, her rise has taken the league “to new heights.” Why risk splitting her focus or overloading her schedule when she’s just starting to dominate the professional scene?

On the flip side, the 3-on-3 format offers a totally different vibe—fast-paced, spotlight-driven, and a chance to shine solo. It’s the kind of setup that screams Clark’s name. Despite her mentioning that she wishes to only play the traditional 5×5 format.

Then there’s the intrigue of Unrivaled itself. This isn’t your average league. Games in a sleek Miami studio? A vibe straight out of the 2020 NBA bubble but with childcare and family perks? It’s got innovation written all over it. And with TNT media rights deal in the mix, the league is set to have eyeballs everywhere. If Clark were to join, it could be a game-changer.

For now, though, it’s all chatter… And Clark is unfazed, loving it off-the-field.

Caitlin Clark gives a nod to the game in a hilarious ad

Caitlin Clark is back, but this time, it’s not on the hardwood—it’s in State Farm’s latest ad, “Rookie Move.” The Fever star and reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year takes center stage, proving her comedic timing yet again.

The ad kicks off with ESPN’s Cassidy Hubbarth, whose kid backs the family car into a garage door. Hubbarth calls it a “rookie move,” setting the stage for Clark to appear, casually practicing her golf swing next to the mangled door. Because why wouldn’t she with her ongoing golfing adventures?

Clark doesn’t just stand around, though. She pulls off a slick one-handed lawn chair setup—a subtle nod to Jason Momoa’s viral moment from The Game—all while admitting her own rookie mistakes. Then, in comes Jake from State Farm with his signature reassurance: “We’ve got you covered.”

But here’s the kicker—when Jake casually reminds Clark she’s supposed to be playing for the Fever, she vanishes. Yup, another rookie move. That’s witty, isn’t it? That’s Clark. Bringing the vibe wherever she steps on.

State Farm’s been rolling with Clark since her Iowa days, and this ad shows they’re sticking with her for the long haul. So, that’s why there’s a belief that Clark can show up in the 3-on-3 league.