Caitlin Clark and 4 WNBA stars drop out of Unrivaled League in shocking boycott of its inaugural season
Five of the biggest names who won’t be participating
The highly anticipated 3-on-3 basketball Unrivaled League is set to make its debut on January 17, 2025, with an exciting inaugural season featuring some of the best players in women’s basketball.
Co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, the league has generated a lot of buzz, offering competitive salaries and the opportunity for players to stay closer to home instead of competing overseas.
Caitlin Clark has a joyful response when she signs autographs for her youngest fans ever
However, despite the excitement surrounding Unrivaled, several notable WNBA stars have opted out of the first season, including some of the league’s most well-known and influential players.
Here are five of the biggest names who won’t be participating in Unrivaled’s debut.
The WNBA stars who dropped our of Unrivaled
Caitlin Clark is arguably the most significant absentee from the league. Recognized as one of the most dynamic young players in women’s basketball, Clark was one of Unrivaled’s top targets. The league extended a lucrative offer to her, but Clark ultimately declined, opting to take a break after a demanding stretch of non-stop playing, including her final year at Iowa and her rookie season in the WNBA.
Another prominent player who has opted out is A’ja Wilson, the 2024 WNBA MVP and a key player for the Las Vegas Aces.
Wilson‘s stellar performance last season cemented her as one of the most dominant figures in the league. Despite Unrivaled’s significant offer, she declined the invitation, likely because of her preference for traditional 5-on-5 basketball and her reluctance to commit to a full year of 3-on-3 play.
Veteran forward Nneka Ogwumike, a two-time MVP and one of the most respected players in the WNBA, also decided not to participate in Unrivaled. At 34 years old, Ogwumike has had a long and successful career, and with free agency looming, she is choosing to rest and preserve her body for the upcoming WNBA season rather than take on additional physical challenge.
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Jonquel Jones, the former WNBA MVP and a key player for the New York Liberty, will also sit out of Unrivaled’s debut season. Having spent most of her offseason playing overseas, Jones is continuing her international career with Sichuan Yuanda in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association.
Finally, Kelsey Plum, a guard for the Las Vegas Aces, withdrew from Unrivaled prior to the season’s start. Plum, who had been announced as part of the roster, decided to prioritize her personal life and well-being after a highly publicized divorce.
Caitlin Clark dominates WNBA card market with record-breaking $216k sales
The ROTY’s collectibles outsell Wilson and Ionescu, cementing her as the face of the league.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin ClarkAP Photo
In just one season, Caitlin Clark has redefined what it means to be a rookie in the WNBA. While the MVP title went to A’ja Wilson, and the Finals victory to the New York Liberty, it’s Clark who continues to make headlines. This time, it’s not for her on-court heroics but for dominating the WNBA collectibles market, outselling stars like Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu by a wide margin.
During the Goldin December Elite auction, Clark’s trading cards shattered records, accounting for a jaw-dropping $216,672 of the $219,906 total in WNBA card sales. For comparison, Wilson’s top card sold for $915, and Ionescu’s fetched $2,319. The Fever guard’s performance left both competitors in the dust, highlighting her unmatched star power.
