When Ice Cube offered NCAA sensation Caitlin Clark a record-shattering $5 million to join his professional 3-on-3 basketball league, BIG3, the sports world did a collective double take. It wasn’t just the size of the offer – it was who it was for, and who it wasn’t for.

Naturally, the conversation quickly turned toward Angel Reese, Clark’s highly visible rival and one of the breakout stars of women’s college basketball in her own right. If Clark was worth $5 million, why didn’t Reese get a similar offer?

Ice Cube didn’t dodge the question. In fact, his answer was blunt, business-minded, and, as many said, refreshingly honest.

“This is business,” Cube said during a podcast interview. “It’s not about favoritism. It’s about numbers, eyeballs, impact. Caitlin Clark is in another stratosphere right now-commercially speaking.”

He wasn’t exaggerating. The numbers back it up.

Caitlin Clark’s meteoric rise has translated into more than just viral highlights and sellout crowds. She’s breaking viewership records across women’s sports, driving national conversations, and being credited with transforming how the women’s game is marketed and consumed.

According to ESPN, Iowa’s Elite Eight matchup against LSU — the latest edition of the Clark-Reese rivalry-drew 12.3 million viewers, the most-watched women’s college basketball game in history. And while both athletes contributed to that milestone, media analysts point to Clark’s crossover appeal her sharp-shooting Steph Curry-like range, quiet composure, and Midwestern “everygirl” image – as the primary engine behind her surge in market value.

Ice Cube confirmed that the BIG3 offer wasn’t just a publicity stunt. It was a strategic business move.

“We looked at the data,” he explained. “Ticket sales. Jersey sales. Brand engagement. Caitlin Clark’s ROI is off the charts. If you’re running a league and looking to inject life into your product, she’s the kind of player who does that instantly.”

By contrast, Angel Reese, while extremely popular and influential — especially on hasn’t translated her brand into the same level of broad commercial social media appeal yet.

Cube was careful to show respect:

“Angel is a star. Period. But stars have tiers. Caitlin’s not just a basketball star – she’s a national brand on fire right now. You don’t offer $5 million to everyone. You offer it to the one who moves the needle more than anyone else.”

That kind of candor is rare in modern sports business, where executives often hide behind vague “fit” language or non-committal PR responses. But Cube, both an entrepreneur and cultural icon, has never been one to sugarcoat.

And he’s not wrong.

According to NIL analytics platforms, Caitlin Clark’s NIL valuation soared above $3 million even before her final NCAA tournament run. She’s inked deals with Nike, Gatorade, State Farm, and Buick. Her jersey sales top charts across both men’s and women’s divisions. She’s not just popular — she’s profitable.

Angel Reese, while also a top NIL earner and strong personality, has built her brand more on defiance and disruption — something that attracts passionate fans but can be polarizing to sponsors and league execs who prioritize universal appeal.

Still, Reese’s defenders were quick to respond. “Angel’s impact is cultural,” said one sports commentator on X. “She speaks for a generation that’s often sidelined. Don’t count her out just because her market appeal isn’t as conventional.”

That may be true – and Ice Cube didn’t dismiss that either. In fact, he hinted that the door is open for Angel Reese to join BIG3 in the future. But for now, the $5 million spotlight is focused squarely on Caitlin Clark.

“This is business, not a beauty pageant,” Cube emphasized again. “Caitlin brings a level of attention the women’s game hasn’t seen —maybe ever. If we’re serious about growing leagues like BIG3, we’ve got to go after the biggest fish. That’s Caitlin.”

As women’s basketball explodes in popularity and the debate around player valuation heats up, Ice Cube’s bold move may set a new precedent. One where unfiltered business logic meets the evolving narrative of gender, race, and market dynamics in sports.

Whether Clark accepts the offer or not remains to be seen. But the message is clear:

In today’s game, talent is just the start. The real power lies in how much attention you bring with you and how many people are willing to pay to watch you play.