In a development that threatens to upend the entire structure of women’s professional sports, a seismic rumor has emerged that could spell disaster for the WNBA. According to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, a vocal critic of the league’s recent handling of its stars, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) is preparing a staggering $1 billion move into women’s basketball. Their targets? The global phenomenon Caitlin Clark and the charismatic Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham. This potential breakaway league represents not just a competitor, but an existential threat to the WNBA, fueled by deep pockets and a strategy designed to capitalize on the very “jealousy” and mismanagement that defined the 2024 season.

The “I Told You So” Moment

For months, Stephen A. Smith has used his platform on First Take to warn WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the league’s old guard: protect your “golden goose” or lose her. He highlighted the hard fouls, the exclusionary rhetoric from veterans, and the general atmosphere of hostility directed at Clark, arguing that it was bad business to alienate the player driving record ratings and attendance.

Now, Smith’s warnings appear prophetic. He claims that Clark and Cunningham are in talks for a deal that would dwarf anything the WNBA can offer. “The market always corrects itself,” Smith noted, pointing out the absurdity of a global icon like Clark earning a base salary of roughly $76,000 while generating millions in value for the league. The Saudi proposal reportedly ignores salary caps entirely, offering upfront money, luxury travel, and ownership equity—perks that make the WNBA’s commercial flights and cramped schedules look archaic.

Why Sophie Cunningham?

While Clark’s inclusion in such a deal is obvious given her box-office appeal, the inclusion of Sophie Cunningham reveals the sophistication of the Saudi strategy. Cunningham is not just a solid player; she is a “content machine” with a massive social media following and a magnetic personality. She brings the “viral” energy and raw charisma that modern entertainment products demand.

By pairing Clark’s polished, global superstardom with Cunningham’s outspoken, edgy brand, investors are seemingly looking to build a dynamic duo that appeals to both traditional basketball fans and the younger, social-media-driven demographic. It is a formula for an entertainment juggernaut, one that prioritizes star power and fan engagement over the traditional, often rigid, team structures of the WNBA.

The LIV Golf Blueprint

The comparisons to LIV Golf are impossible to ignore. Just as the Saudi PIF disrupted the PGA Tour by luring away top golfers with astronomical checks and a player-friendly schedule, this rumored basketball league aims to do the same. The strategy is ruthless but effective: identify undervalued assets and pay them what the free market dictates.

The WNBA has inadvertently made itself vulnerable to this exact play. By failing to significantly upgrade player conditions—such as charter flights for all teams all season—and by allowing a narrative of “veteran resentment” to fester, they created an environment where leaving looks like a smart business decision. As the transcript notes, “If the WNBA didn’t evolve fast, someone with serious money power would swoop in.” That someone appears to be here.

Panic in the Front Office

The timing of this leak could not be worse for the WNBA. Commissioner Engelbert is currently in the midst of negotiating new media rights deals, the value of which is almost entirely predicated on Caitlin Clark’s participation. Networks are bidding for the “Clark Effect”—the sellout crowds and the 400% ratings jumps.

If Clark were to defect to a rival league, those media offers would likely plummet. The WNBA’s entire growth projection relies on her presence. A departure would not only strip the league of its primary revenue driver but also signal to other stars that loyalty to the WNBA is a financial mistake. The “domino effect” could be swift, with other underpaid stars following Clark out the door to secure their own financial futures.

The Sound of Silence

Perhaps the most alarming detail for WNBA executives is the silence from the camps of Clark and Cunningham. Typically, wild rumors are quickly shot down by agents to maintain relationships with current teams. In this case, there has been no denial. In the world of high-stakes negotiations, silence is leverage. It forces the WNBA to sweat, to reconsider its salary structures, and to realize that its control over its talent is slipping away.

Stephen A. Smith’s report suggests that this is no longer a “what if” scenario but a “when.” The WNBA stands at a precipice. They spent a season trying to fit a generational talent into an old box, and now they may watch her build a new one—worth a billion dollars. The warning was clear, and the consequences may be permanent.