The WNBA season has left everyone wanting more as usual, but this time the crowds are a bit larger in number. Luckily for fans, Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart’s brainchild, the Unrivaled League, is coming to Miami in January for tip-off. While rookie sensation Angel Reese is locked in to play the 3×3 format, Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark has been on the fence about playing more basketball after a hectic year. But Collier has some solutions in mind.

Front Office Sports announced that Unrivaled would be offering an MLS Messi-like deal to CC, and Collier vaguely confirmed it on Podcast P with Paul George today. “I can’t give numbers, obviously,” Collier laughs. “But I mean, I can tell you substantially more than what she’s making in the WNBA. I do think she needs to be paid fairly, and we would be offering her a fair compensation for what she’s doing.”

It’s been reported that most players in the winter league will receive an average salary in the $250,000 range for three months. But CC’s payday will be more and go above $1 million, as well as other financial incentives. The league has also promised equity stakes, but that extends to all players. In an attempt to lure CC to their side, Unrivaled has now recruited two of her closest friends.

Former Iowa teammate and Aces guard Kate Martin as well as Fever teammates Lexie Hull and Aliyah Boston are in. The roster has also been expanded from 30 to 36 to offer more spots and give time to Clark to think this decision over. Known to be competitive, will No. 22 be able to sit this one out after this buildup and her long-time on-court rival Angel Reese also playing?

Collier goes on to praise the Chicago Sky rookie, “Yeah, I thought she had a huge impact on the W, not only just from like the fans that she brought over this rookie class, just the fans that they brought over as a whole is insane. But she broke a lot of records, records of people who have been in the leagues, let alone like for a rookie. So just seeing new talent come into the league is really, really fun.”

Alex Bazzell, Collier’s husband and Unrivaled president, has made it clear that the league will have a spot for CC whenever she wants to join. But where some sources speculate her participation is now 60/40, the Fever guard herself has almost denied playing basketball in the offseason.

Caitlin Clark may be undecided but Napheesa Collier’s league will reserve her spot

Unrivaled aims to help players looking to stay in the country in the winter and continue doing their jobs and play ball. The added perk is that the league will pay what these women deserve, as Napheesa Collier put it, and they will be in sunny Miami from January to March. Moreover, the 3×3 format will give players more room for individual improvement. There’s virtually no reason not to join unless you’re Caitlin Clark.

After a long year of basketball, from playing with the Hawkeyes beginning September 2023 and ending with the Fever’s playoff exit almost 12 months later, Clark has been on the court non-stop. There has been a little break from transitioning to the pros, and while there was the Olympic break, the rookie might be understandably tired.

And yet, as a source close to Unrivaled revealed, “She has not decided yet…there will be a spot for her if she wants it, but she will be paid for what she brings to the league, as much as a new league can afford… I think in a few weeks we will know.”

Collier has stated time and again that the impact Caitlin Clark, as well as her rivalry with Angel Reese, has brought on the WNBA is for the better. Now although Unrivaled is getting sufficient attention, who wouldn’t want the most famous player in women’s basketball to join them and take their popularity to a whole other level?