The WNBA is undoubtedly on the rise, with the upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement expected to see a major increase in player earnings over the coming time. However, the league’s growth has also given players a range of other methods to earn big bucks, and Unrivaled lies right towards the top of this list. When the 3-on-3 league made its flashy debut, 30 hoopers signed up to maximize their offseason bag. Take Angel Reese, for example, who pocketed $50K on top of the undisclosed contract she signed that also grants her equity.

Reese is accompanied by some of the biggest WNBA stars at present. From Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart to Brittney Griner, Unrivaled has already seen the influx of top talent. However, one name that has been missing thus far is that of the Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark. The Iowa-based prodigy had an injury-derailed campaign during which she had multiple problems. However, the season finally came to an end recently due to a right groin injury. However, she continues to be a tantalizing prospect for Unrivaled, with an offer previously already being made.

However, as things stand, CC will not be suiting up in Unrivaled season 2. David Samson took up the question during a recent segment of Nothing Personal.

“This is where my thought process ends because Caitlin Clark was offered equity last year at a $34 million valuation. Is that offer still standing? Is Unrivaled willing to make Caitlin Clark like MLS made David Beckham, where you can get an expansion team no matter how long it takes at this very tiny expansion fee, $25 million,” he said.

Since CC’s experience has grown by one more year, with a lot more popularity, Samson believes she might get a salary like David Beckham. The MLS, via a clause in his LA Galaxy contract, gave him the right to purchase an MLS expansion franchise for $25 million. Beckham signed for the team in 2007 and took up the clause in 2014 to sign Inter Miami. Currently, a number of superstar footballers play for Miami, including eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi.

Notwithstanding the previous offer of equity at the $34 million valuation, Simon questioned whether Unrivaled may allow CC to own a team/equity in the league in the future as well, which may as well tilt the conversation and force the Fever star to actually sign up. Back in October 2024, Unrivaled offered CC a deal that included $1 million and a salary for a three-month stint plus equity in the business. However, it is not clear if that offer even remains on the table as things stand.

Last year, when CC was presented with the offer, she claimed that “This year is just not the best for me” to join Unrivaled in an interview with Time. But even this season, she’s got challenges to overcome—the latest being her season-ending right groin injury that has sidelined her since mid-July. However, if you ask Samson, it’s not even about playing.

“Is that offer still on the table? ’Cause if it is, how is Caitlin Clark not accepting? Why would she not meet with Unrivaled and say, ‘I want to be a partner. I will take the equity and I’ll play for you only if I’m not injured. I’ll play for you if I’ve played for the Fever the entire season and only lost two games,’” added Samson. And yes, that’s possible on paper. In Year 2, Unrivaled closed an oversubscribed Series B investment round that values the league at $340 million. Further, Samson believes that the financial windfall is simply too huge for CC to actually turn down such an offer, especially with Unrivalled looking consistently on the rise.

All thanks to investors like Serena Williams’ Serena Ventures, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Alex Morgan’s Trybe Ventures. But it ain’t just these big companies—contributors also include NBA All-Star Trae Young, Orlando Magic teammates Franz and Moritz Wagner, Darryll J. Pines, Sylvia Pines, sports executive Sam Rapoport, and Next Legacy Partners. With so many contributors, the 3×3 league ain’t slowing down just yet.

As Alex Bazzell puts it better: “We’re continuing to align with partners who elevate our league and accelerate our strategic growth…. This rise in Unrivaled’s valuation reflects investor confidence and proves that athlete-driven models can thrive at the highest level of business.” So yes, since CC was offered equity in Year 1 and considering a range of other stars already own equity, any new offer made to CC is likely to include equity in Unrivaled league as well.

League expands and raises pay, but without big stars! 

If you’re hoping to see CC and A’ja Wilson take their 3×3 game in 2026, you might not be able to. Both the stars declined the offer put forward by the league during its inaugural season, and as the the league president Alex Bazzell put it, Unrivaled is happy to move ahead without them.

“There is always an ongoing dialogue…. There is no secret who the top players in the world are, and they know we have a spot for them. But we are not knocking down doors or chasing people down. I feel good about where our rosters stand,” he shared on Wednesday. And yes, they’ve proved it too. Without Caitlin Clark and Wilson, the league averaged 221,000 viewers last season.

Not just that—the league’s coverage reached more than 11.9 million viewers. Even 10 of its games were the most-watched in TNT Sports history and the 10 most-streamed women’s basketball games ever on Max. So yes, if it’s about moving forward, the league’s already doing it.

In fact, the new league is also introducing two new teams—Breeze Basketball Club and Hive Basketball Club—for the upcoming 2026 season. They’ve also announced a significant pay raise for the players who are already getting higher salaries. So…if the bag keeps getting bigger, how long before CC finally calls Unrivaled home? The present situation suggests that the unsigned players in question may have to express their interest, in order to join.