Ice Cube and BIG3 co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz have targeted Caitlin Clark‘s agents, alleging they played a role in derailing negotiations with the young prodigy as she sets her sights on the WNBA.
In statement shared on the N.W.A veteran’s website – written by Kwatinetz – the duo accused Clark’s agents of affiliations with the “NBA mob.”
“We have reason to believe these male agents and executives controlling the sport never even shared our trailblazing offer with Caitlin let alone facilitated Caitlin meeting with the BIG3 to discuss the opportunity,” Kwatinetz began.
“From our perspective, these representatives don’t seem to work for an individual client like Caitlin. They seem to work for the NBA mob, as their client list is a who’s who of NBA players.
“Do we expect them to prioritize Caitlin over the NBA – the top employer of their most highly paid clients? The NBA commands by fear, and they make sure their industry of agents, lawyers, managers and networks stay in line. And that line is to prevent BIG3 success, even if it stunts the growth of women’s basketball. Amid current negotiations of critical NBA new media deals, you can imagine the pressure on the NBA feeder system easily trumps any of Caitlin’s or other promising woman players’ best interests.”
Moreover, the statement pointed out that Clark could have potentially earned over $15 million with the BIG3, stating: “Ten million dollars of salary over two years, a percentage of team ownership worth millions, fifty percent of merchandising revenues from her name and likeness and ownership of a BIG3 documentary with a seven-figure advance. In total, we’re talking fifteen million dollars or more to merely play a ten-game season. While still allowing her to play in the WNBA.”
As previously reported, Clark recently secured the top spot in the 2024 WNBA Draft before ultimately signing with the Indiana Fever, where she will earn a rookie salary of $76,000.
Before revealing her intentions—citing a focus on ‘just playing basketball’—the all-time NCAA leading scorer received a groundbreaking offer to join the BIG3 but seemingly brushed it off, stating: “To be honest, I found out about the Big3 thing at the exact time you all did, and my main focus is on just playing basketball.”
“I honestly don’t talk about those things with really anybody. I have other people that deal with it, and they haven’t said a word to me about it. My main focus is on this team and helping us find a way to beat Colorado and hopefully win another one after that.”