INDIANAPOLIS — If the WNBA wasn’t panicking before, they certainly should be now. In a span of 48 hours, Caitlin Clark didn’t just play a round of golf; she dismantled the entire economic argument of the WNBA, proved she is the most valuable athlete in women’s sports, and inadvertently opened the door to a rival league that could steal her away for good.

The scene at the Pelican Golf Club for the LPGA Pro-Am was supposed to be a relaxing offseason diversion. Instead, it became a masterclass in leverage. While WNBA executives debate collective bargaining agreements and “manage” their biggest star, the rest of the world is lining up to pay her what she’s actually worth. And the numbers are terrifying for anyone hoping to see Clark in a Fever jersey for the next decade.

The “Tiger Woods” Effect

Let’s start with the visuals. Caitlin Clark, a basketball player with a self-admitted “average” golf game and a 16 handicap, showed up to a golf tournament and turned it into a spectacle. The galleries were packed rows deep. Ticket sales reportedly jumped over 1,000% compared to the previous year. The Golf Channel, recognizing a ratings goldmine, extended their live coverage just to capture her practice swings.

She didn’t just participate; she dominated the news cycle. Commentators and fans alike dubbed it the “Tiger Woods treatment.” When she sank a massive 35-foot birdie putt on the 10th hole, the roar from the crowd wasn’t polite applause—it was the sound of a superstar who transcends her sport. She brings the “Clark Effect” everywhere she goes, proving that her brand is portable, powerful, and incredibly profitable.

“Man Down” and The $10 Million Offer

The day wasn’t just about serious business; it highlighted the genuine charisma that the WNBA often fails to market. Clark brought her Indiana Fever teammates, Sophie Cunningham and Lexi Hull, as her caddies. The chemistry was electric. In one viral moment, Cunningham shanked a drive into the gallery, hitting a fan. As Clark yelled “Man down!” and the crowd gasped, Cunningham cracked a joke that had the entire gallery—and the internet—laughing.

But while the fans were laughing, Dave Portnoy was calculating. The Barstool Sports founder, witnessing Clark’s massive draw, publicly floated an invitation for her to join his “Internet Invitational” golf tournament. The purse? A potential $10 million.

Think about that. A single golf event could offer Clark nearly 100 times her WNBA rookie salary. It’s a stark, brutal reminder that Clark doesn’t need the WNBA to be rich or famous. She is a media entity unto herself.

The “Project B” Bombshell

However, the $10 million golf offer is just the appetizer. The main course—and the potential death knell for the WNBA’s monopoly on talent—came from WNBA legend Angel McCoughtry.

Speaking on a podcast, McCoughtry dropped details about a new, rival women’s basketball league, often referred to as “Project B” or “Unrivaled.” The financial structure she described is nothing short of revolutionary. According to McCoughtry, this league is preparing to offer minimum contracts of $2 million.

But for Caitlin Clark? McCoughtry estimated the offer would need to be between $15 million and $25 million per year, potentially including equity ownership in the league itself.

“Who’s going to turn that down?” McCoughtry asked. “If you’re going to get paid $5 million [or more], why put your body through playing in the WNBA?”

It is a question that demands an answer. Why would Clark stay in a league where she is physically battered, her “enforcers” are threatened with bans, and her salary is capped, when she could own a piece of a new league designed specifically to showcase and protect her?

The War on Sophie Cunningham

Adding fuel to this fire is the WNBA’s baffling treatment of Sophie Cunningham. Known as Clark’s unofficial bodyguard on the court, Cunningham plays with the kind of physical edge required to protect a superstar target. Yet, reports suggest the league has targeted her with fines and threatened suspensions, effectively trying to neutralize the one player willing to stand between Clark and the hard fouls she endures nightly.

The narrative is clear: The WNBA punishes the protectors and underpays the stars. Meanwhile, the outside world—from the LPGA to Dave Portnoy to “Project B”—is rolling out the red carpet, offering millions, and promising respect.

The Ultimatum

The events of this week have shifted the power dynamic completely. Caitlin Clark is no longer just a rookie hoping to fit in. She is a titan of industry who has realized her own worth.

The WNBA is currently gambling with its future. They are betting that prestige and history will be enough to keep Clark. But history doesn’t pay the bills, and prestige doesn’t stop a $25 million check from clearing.

If the WNBA continues to mistreat her teammates and undervalue her impact, they shouldn’t be surprised if she takes her talents elsewhere. Whether it’s a golf course for $10 million or a rival league for $25 million, Caitlin Clark has options. The only question left is: Does the WNBA have a plan B? Because right now, “Project B” is looking pretty unrivaled.