Ice Cube Confirms No $5M Offer for Angel Reese, Says Caitlin Clark Was a Unique Opportunity: “It’s Just Not the Same”

In a revealing moment that may sting fans of Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese, rapper and entrepreneur Ice Cube has made it clear: there will be no $5 million offer coming her way from the BIG3 basketball league — at least not anytime soon.

The hip-hop icon turned sports league founder was approached this week at Los Angeles International Airport by TMZ Sports, and when asked about the possibility of extending a lucrative deal to Reese, similar to the one Caitlin Clark famously received last year, Ice Cube didn’t mince words. His message was respectful, yet definitive: Angel Reese simply doesn’t have the same economic draw — at least in the eyes of his league’s sponsors.

The $5 Million “What If” for Caitlin Clark

It was just over a year ago that headlines exploded with news that the BIG3 had offered college basketball phenom Caitlin Clark a staggering $5 million deal to join their three-on-three league. The proposal — unprecedented for a female athlete still in college — was made just before Clark declared for the 2024 WNBA Draft. It sparked passionate debate across social media, sports talk shows, and even political circles.

Had Clark accepted the deal, she would have played just eight regular-season games and potentially two playoff games to earn the full $5 million — a far cry from the relatively modest rookie salary she now receives with the Indiana Fever in the WNBA.

The BIG3’s offer was bold, strategic, and backed by serious financial calculation. According to Ice Cube, sponsors behind the scenes were prepared to go all-in if Clark came aboard. “They told us the money would roll in if we landed Caitlin Clark,” Cube explained. “The interest was there. The hype was there. Everything lined up.”

But Clark, who has consistently said her heart was with the WNBA and her dream of winning championships there, declined the offer. She was selected No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever and has since become a focal point of the league — both in praise and controversy.

Angel Reese and Ice Cube (Photos via Imagn Images & TMZ Sports)

Angel Reese: Rising Star, But Not the Same Offer

While Reese’s star has undeniably risen since her days leading LSU to a national title, and her rivalry with Clark continues to be one of the most-watched narratives in modern sports, Ice Cube was candid in stating that the same kind of investment wouldn’t be justified for her — at least not right now.

“We have no beef with Angel,” he said. “She’s doing great things. She’s building her brand. She’s competitive, passionate, and she brings people to the game. But when it comes to the kind of commercial interest and sponsor backing we saw with Caitlin, it’s just not the same.”

Cube emphasized that the decision wasn’t personal — it was business.

“We’re a league, we’re a brand,” he explained. “We’re trying to grow, attract viewership, sell tickets, and make headlines. If the sponsors aren’t going to back it financially, it doesn’t make sense for us to throw money out there just to make a splash.”

This perspective may come as a disappointment to fans who have followed Reese’s meteoric rise in recent years. From her outspoken interviews to her on-court grit, Angel Reese has become a cultural symbol as much as a basketball player. But Ice Cube’s comments make clear: while Reese has star power, she hasn’t yet reached the kind of transcendent commercial status that Clark commands.

A League That’s Already “Must-See TV”

Despite the missed opportunity with Clark and the lack of an offer for Reese, Ice Cube remains confident in the direction of the BIG3. The league, which features retired NBA players and younger talent looking for a second shot, has become a summer mainstay for basketball fans looking for fast-paced, high-stakes competition.

“We got some great players,” Cube told TMZ. “Lance Stephenson, Dwight Howard, Montrezl Harrell, Wesley Johnson. These guys are bringing it every night. The league has been must-see TV for sure.”

The BIG3’s model — half-court three-on-three games with a 14-second shot clock, four-point shots, and a strong focus on entertainment — has carved out a unique niche in the crowded sports landscape. Founded in 2017, the league has grown steadily, thanks in large part to Ice Cube’s credibility and visibility in both music and media.

And while adding a player like Caitlin Clark might have catapulted it even further into the spotlight, Cube insists the league is thriving regardless.

“We’re always looking for ways to grow and innovate,” he said. “But we’re not going to chase headlines just for the sake of it.”

Why Caitlin Clark Was Different

So what makes Caitlin Clark so different from Angel Reese, at least in the eyes of Ice Cube and his business team?

According to multiple marketing insiders, it’s all about brand perception and crossover appeal. Clark’s style of play — deadly three-point range, high IQ, and unselfish assists — has drawn comparisons to legends like Steph Curry and Diana Taurasi. Her clean-cut image, along with her record-breaking stats and viral highlights, made her a safe bet for corporate America.

Angel Reese, on the other hand, has been equally dominant in her own right. She brings an aggressive edge, emotional fire, and unapologetic confidence that resonates with younger fans, especially on social media. But that same fiery persona has led to her being labeled “polarizing” by some media outlets — a factor that may make risk-averse brands hesitate.

“It’s not about talent,” one unnamed sponsor told a sports marketing site. “Angel is an incredible player. But Caitlin’s brand was already prepared for mainstream America. Reese’s is still being built.”

Cube didn’t say never — he said not now. And that subtle difference may be key. If Reese continues her rise, helps take the Chicago Sky deep into the playoffs, and continues to win over fans and media alike, the sponsors may change their tune — and so might Cube.

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese (Photo By Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

The Gender Pay Gap in Pro Basketball: Still a Hot Topic

The entire debate brings up a much broader — and persistent — issue in sports: the gender pay gap.

Had Clark taken the BIG3 deal, she would have made more in ten games than most WNBA players make in an entire decade. Reese, who’s already cashing in on a number of name-image-likeness (NIL) deals from her college days, is still far from pulling in the kind of salary NBA veterans or even mid-tier international players command.

That reality frustrates many fans, especially in the wake of the current WNBA boom driven largely by Clark’s arrival.

“Why can’t they both be paid what they’re worth?” one Twitter user wrote after TMZ released Cube’s comments. “They’re both moving the culture forward.”

Final Thoughts: A Business Decision, Not a Beef

At the end of the day, Ice Cube’s decision not to offer Angel Reese a $5 million deal like he did for Caitlin Clark is a strategic business move — not a sign of disrespect or personal bias.

He respects Reese. He admires what she brings to the game. But as of now, the numbers just don’t add up for the BIG3.

“It’s not a knock on her,” he concluded. “It’s just where things are right now.”

Still, in the ever-evolving world of women’s basketball, where stars are made in moments and narratives shift overnight, never say never. Angel Reese continues to build her legacy — and if her influence keeps growing, Ice Cube might just find himself re-evaluating that offer.