Terming Caitlin Clark as the WNBA’s biggest recent star won’t be an overstatement. And the people at Unrivaled women’s 3-on-3 league know this very well. Clark has been learning tough lessons at the Fever camp, all in good hope.
According to the latest report, the short-form, more exciting league is eyeing to lock in the Iowa alum. But management is not pressuring.
Caitlin Clark On Unrivaled’s Strategic Radar
Co-founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, Unrivaled has its sights set on Clark but is taking a gentle approach, per a report from Sports Business Journal. This comes after Clark turned down a reported $1 million offer for the league’s inaugural season.
Unrivaled is keeping the door open without pushing her, respecting her need for rest after a grueling year. League president and co-founder Napheesa Collier’s husband, Alex Bazzell, recently shared the strategy they are putting in place for Clark.
“How we approach it is we don’t really apply pressure. Everyone who’s not currently in the league and who’s a top player, not just her, knows we’re a phone call away. It doesn’t mean there’s always going to be a spot because we have to fill spots,” he said to SBJ.
Unrivaled has a standing offer for Fever G Caitlin Clark for its 3-on-3 winter league but isn’t pressuring her while she rehabs 🏀
— Sports Business Journal (@SBJ) September 8, 2025
Lines of communication remain open as she decides how to spend her offseason after missing 28 games.
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With Unrivaled now valued at $340 million following a successful Series B funding round, its patient strategy could pay off in future seasons. However, Clark’s appeal is undeniable. Her 2024 WNBA rookie season with the Fever saw her average 16.5 points and 8.8 assists before a groin injury ended her 2025 campaign after just 13 games.
Additionally, the star point guard’s impact drove record viewership and attendance, making her a prime target for Unrivaled, which launched in January 2025 with stars like Angel Reese and Brittney Griner. The league offered Clark a hefty deal for just 10 weeks of work, but she prioritized recovery after nearly a year of nonstop basketball, from Iowa’s 2023-24 season to her WNBA debut.
Unrivaled Looks Promising For Caitlin Clark
While many see it as the best thing to do, Unrivaled’s approach is strategic. They’ve signed Clark’s former Iowa teammate Kate Martin and Fever teammates Aliyah Boston and Lexie Hull, plus secured State Farm, Clark’s sponsor, as a marketing partner.
These moves keep her connected to the league without pressure. If any league outside the WNBA is keeping Clark in check, this has to be the correct approach.
It would be a win-win situation for the star rookie, as the league’s first season averaged 221,000 viewers on TNT and truTV, with sold-out games in Miami. Additionally, its recent funding, led by Bessemer Venture Partners and including Serena Williams and Trae Young, promises to be a lasting league.
For now, Unrivaled is thriving, with nearly 90% of its 2026 roster, including Paige Bueckers, signed. The team plans to tour four U.S. cities. Clark’s focus remains on rehab, but with her star power and Unrivaled’s patience, a future partnership could be a game-changer for the league’s soaring ambitions.