WNBA star Caitlin Clark will not be joining Unrivaled the 3×3 womens basketball league that will be entering its second season this winter, a source briefed on the situation confirmed Thursday. Front Office Sports first reported the news.
The league has announced all but two of the 48 players for the upcoming season, leading some to speculate that Clark would be one of the final names announced.
Clark, whos coming off a sophomore WNBA season marred by injuries, was invited to join Unrivaled after her rookie season but opted for rest after playing a full calendar year beginning with her senior campaign in Iowa. According to Sports Business Journal, before Unrivaleds first season last year, Clark was offered a deal worth more than $1 million and included equity.
Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell previously told The Athletic there were no discussions for Clark to join this season.
Theres no current dialogue taking place right now, Bazzell said earlier this month. Everyone knows that we want the best players. Everyone knows that if theyre interested, we always have spots.
Clark hasnt played since July 15 and missed the end of the Indiana Fevers latest season due to injuries she initially sustained a groin injury and then injured her ankle in August. On Thursday, speaking at the Fevers postseason media availability, Clark said shes in a good spot with her recovery and that shes felt her best over the last few weeks.
Ive been working really hard to get back to full health, she said. I think Ive had a really good perspective on it all and thats probably what Im most proud of, too.
Regarding offseason plans, Clark said she hasnt made any decisions and theres some USA Basketball stuff that is probably my top priority right now that I need to prepare for.
Unrivaled which is based in Miami and runs in the WNBA offseason could serve as a rival league amid ongoing labor negotiations between the WNBPA and the league.
On Thursday, Unrivaled announced that Philadelphia will host the leagues inaugural tour stop in 2026. Four of the eight total Unrivaled teams will play back-to-back games in the city on Jan. 30.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Indiana Fever, WNBA, Sports Business
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