Caitlin Clark's $11 million sponsorship earnings reportedly influenced decision to turn down Unrivaled

Caitlin Clark has become one of the biggest faces in the world of sports in the last year. Following a terrific tenure in college, she joined the WNBA as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 Draft, keen to translate her game to the pros and be as successful or more than he was with the Iowa Hawkeyes.

After her rookie season ended, many wondered if she'd join Unrivaled League, a 3-on-3 competition created by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. Sean Gregory of TIME says that thanks to Clark's making $11 million in endorsements this year, she preferred to hit the gym instead of another competition.

“I didn't rule out doing it in the future, but this year is just not the best for me,” she said.

Instead, Caitlin Clark will spend the offseason lifting weights and training on her own to expand her game.

“It’s going to be good for me to do my own thing and have my own space," she says. “I kind of want to just stay out of the spotlight.”

Caitlin Clark ranked 10th among the top 15 highest-paid female athletes of 2024. The list led by tennis star Coco Gauff ($30 million), includes other high-profile names like Nelly Korda ($14.4 million) and Simone Biles ($11.1 million). Clark has signed deals with Nike, Gatorade, State Farm, Wilson, Xfinity and Lilly.

Napheesa Collier's husband says Caitlin Clark will have a spot in Unrivaled

After she turned down the chance to join the inaugural season of Unrivaled, Alex Bazzell talked about Caitlin Clark's future in the league. During a Nov. 29 interview, the former coach didn't rule out watching the Indiana Fever star play take on this challenge in future seasons.

"LW, so now at the same time, like, of course, I've been on record saying Caitlin will always have a spot in our league, and that is true, right? Like, we always want to be a home for the best of the best. She's also first-team all. W you know, we went through our negotiations. Inevitably, she needed time this offseason, which we respect, so we hope to see her next year. She won't be playing this year."

Clark has become a marquee name not only for the WNBA but the basketball world and female sports. The young guard was expected to make a major impact on sports and she's starting doing so in strong fashion.