Real reason for Caitlin Clark's absence from Unrivaled league revealed

It has long been known that Caitlin Clark would not be joining the upcoming Unrivaled 3x3 basketball league, and that became official when Sabrina Ionescu was announced as the league’s final player, completing its roster of 36 players.

Despite recruitment efforts from the league, founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, the Indiana Fever star has made it clear she won’t be participating.

NBA writer Tom Friend revealed in the Sports Business Journal that Clark declined the league’s $1 million offer, which included equity, citing her lack of need for exposure and a desire for rest.

“Unrivaled offered her $1 million, plus equity, just for playing three months of its 3-on-3 basketball league, sources said, which she turned down because she doesn’t need the exposure (and could use the rest),” Friend wrote.

The year 2024 was especially demanding for Clark, as she transitioned from college basketball to the professional stage and helped lead the Fever to the playoffs after years of absence.

READ: Caitlin Clark makes final call on Unrivaled; league's plans revealed

Caitlin Clark may join Unrivaled in the future

Although Caitlin Clark won’t be part of Unrivaled’s inaugural season, she has expressed interest in possibly joining in the future.

In November, Front Office Sports reported that the league is “open” to welcoming Clark in its second or third season once it gains more stability.

In her TIME Athlete of the Year feature, Clark said she wanted "to stay out of the spotlight" for now.

“I didn't rule out doing it in the future, but this year is just not the best for me,” she said. "It’s going to be good for me to do my own thing and have my own space ... I kind of want to just stay out of the spotlight.”

This offseason, instead of joining Unrivaled, which offers six-figure salaries and equity to players, Clark expanded her presence through activities like golf and leadership speaking engagements.

AthleteSpeakers.com estimates that booking Clark for a speaking event costs at least $100,000.

Her rookie WNBA season was nothing short of historic. Clark earned First Team All-WNBA honors, won Rookie of the Year and broke records in assists and 3-point shooting.

She also made history by becoming the first women’s basketball player to be named TIME Athlete of the Year and the first basketball player overall to receive the honor since LeBron James.