Ice Cube and his BIG3 league have made it crystal clear: they won’t be extending a Caitlin Clark‑level offer to Angel Reese anytime soon.

A $5 Million Offer for Caitlin Clark

Last year, Ice Cube stunned the sports world by revealing that he personally offered Caitlin Clark a whopping $5 million to play in the BIG3—a professional three‑on‑three basketball league he co‑founded. The deal would have required Clark to suit up for just eight regular season games and possibly two playoff games, but the financial upside was massive. Ice Cube described Clark as a “generational” talent capable of making history and elevating the league’s profile ﹘ particularly in the eyes of his corporate sponsors, who were confident her participation would unlock massive revenue and media buzz. Ultimately, Clark declined the offer and chose to enter the WNBA instead, where her 2024 rookie salary was a modest $76,535. Even so, her endorsement earnings reportedly reached around $11 million, vastly overshadowing her WNBA base pay Wikipedia+15TMZ+15The Times of India+15Bleacher Report+2The Source+2On3+2.

No Same Offer for Angel Reese

In a recent exchange with TMZ Sports, Ice Cube was asked whether Angel Reese—the rising young star of the Chicago Sky and a rival of Clark since their LSU vs. Iowa days—might receive a similar BIG3 offer. His response: a firm “no.” Cube emphasized that while Reese is undeniably talented, sponsors did not convey the same level of commercial confidence in her drawing power. In his words, “They didn’t tell us the same thing about Angel Reese,” meaning there was no guarantee a comparable investment would yield the same payoff for the league. Without sponsor backing declaring Reese would bring in similar impact, Cube said, “I don’t know if we can make that same offer,” and indicated there’s **no plan to extend it anytime soon Sportskeeda+4The Source+4Bleacher Report+4**.

When pressed about whether a smaller contract could still be possible for Reese, Cube avoided making any promises. He stopped short of discussing lower tiers, noting only that the $5 million offer simply wouldn’t make the same financial sense without big‑time sponsor demand On3Athlon Sports.

Putting It in Perspective

Caitlin Clark’s Rise

Clark’s career trajectory has been extraordinary. Her NCAA play at Iowa drew massive audiences, shattering media records and turning her into a mainstream media sensation. Sponsors lined up—Nike, Gatorade, State Farm, Hy‑Vee, Bose, Buick, Xfinity, Topps—all believed her presence could elevate visibility and brand value. Before even turning pro, her NIL deal valuation had soared past $3–3.4 million, the highest among women’s college players at the time Wikipedia.

Her $5 million BIG3 offer was just a symbol of her perceived value—sponsors envisioned that investment paying off with waves of media coverage, social media engagement, and a broader TV audience. Though she turned it down, Clark instead became Rookie of the Year in the WNBA, then amassed huge earnings via endorsements and merchandising deals—notably far exceeding her $76,535 rookie salary Thị Trường Tài Chính+4The Source+4Bleacher Report+4.

Angel Reese’s Brand

By contrast, while Angel Reese has made a strong mark as a player, her commercial footprint hasn’t reached the same level, despite growing visibility. As a standout forward for LSU, she led them to a national title and earned awards like SEC Player of the Year, and in 2024 was drafted 7th overall by the Chicago Sky. She made immediate WNBA impact—averaging a double-double as a rookie—and earned All-Star honors, consistently pulling down rebounds and making defensive plays Wikipedia.

Off court, Reese has signed notable endorsement deals—Reebok (including her own signature shoe slated for 2026), Amazon, Coach, Bose, Sonic, Tapax, Sports Illustrated, and even launched a branded McDonald’s meal. She racked up NIL earnings estimated around $1.5–1.8 million in college and grew to be one of the most-followed WNBA players online with millions of followers The Sun+4Wikipedia+4The Times of India+4. She also starred in the inaugural 3‑on‑3 women’s league Unrivaled, winning Defensive Player of the Year and helping her team to the first championship—showcasing both her athletic clout and her alternative professional opportunities New York Post+4Wikipedia+4On3+4.

But Still No BIG3 Bid

Despite her rising star status, Ice Cube saw no business justification for offering Reese the same kind of money. Sponsors simply didn’t express that Reese’s participation would deliver the same level of exposure and returns the league expected from Clark. Cube stressed that the decision was not personal—not a slight on Reese’s game—but a purely financial decision driven by sponsor confidence and expected commercial impact Bleacher Report+5Athlon Sports+5The Source+5.

What This Means

BIG3 politics: The league’s offer to Clark was part of a strategy aimed at capturing attention and expanding its audience. Reese may interest Cube as a player, but unless brands see her as a revenue-generator on par with Clark, she’s off that high-dollar rad to stay.

Star power matters: Clark’s media magnetism—record-breaking TV appearances, social media traction, merchandising pull—makes her a different kind of asset. Reese’s brand is strong but still evolving: respected and profitable, but not yet at that same “generational” tier.

Clark declined anyway: Even though Clark said “no thanks” to BIG3, she didn’t miss out. Her WNBA rookie salary was small, but her endorsement portfolio has grown even larger—transforming her into one of the best-paid young athletes in the game ESPN.com+2EssentiallySports+2The Times of India+2.

Reese’s path is independent: Reese didn’t really need BIG3 exposure. She dominated the Unrivaled league and is building her own empire—Reebok shoe line, brand deals, social influence, and elite play in the WNBA. Ice Cube’s decision doesn’t limit her upward momentum at all.

The Wider Rivalry Narrative

Clark and Reese’s rivalry dates back to their youth—Clark for Iowa, Reese for LSU—and reached a national crescendo in March 2023 during the NCAA tournament where their rivalry drew record-breaking TV audiences. That Elite Eight matchup remains one of the most-watched women’s college basketball games ever, with over 12 million viewers at the time Wikipedia.

As they transitioned into the WNBA in 2024—Clark as the top pick to Indiana and Reese soon after to Chicago—their media pull intensified. Magic Johnson likened their competitive dynamic to former NBA greats Bird and Magic, noting their combined influence has sparked growing investment, viewership, and even improvements to league infrastructure and pay structure Talksport.

Yet while both players have excelled on the court, sponsor interest has so far tilted toward Clark when it comes to eye-popping investments like a $5 million BIG3 offer. Reese continues building her brand and growing her influence; some say her value is underrated—and over time that may change the conversation entirely.

Final Thoughts

In short: Ice Cube’s BIG3 made a business play on Caitlin Clark—not Angel Reese. Clark’s deal was backed by sponsors betting on her unmatched star power. Without that backing, Cube says he wouldn’t (or couldn’t) justify making the same investment in Reese, no matter how skilled she is. He stressed it wasn’t personal at all—it was purely about unlocking value for the league, and in that moment, Clark was the clear choice foxsports.com+11The Source+11Sportskeeda+11.

Both athletes remain dominant figures in women’s basketball with their own strengths—Clark’s media-fueled marketability, Reese’s on‑court impact and growing sponsor deals. For now, only one received the headline‑grabbing offer—but the rivalry isn’t slowing down, and the broader story is continuing to amplify the incredible rise of both stars in parallel.