Rachel DeMita, a courtside commentator for Ice Cube’s Big3 basketball league, was dismissed following a series of tweets about WNBA star Caitlin Clark during the Indiana Fever’s June 14 victory over the New York Liberty. The tweets, all posted on the social media platform X while DeMita was on duty, prompted the basketball league to end their year-long working relationship.
Big3, a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz, cited their disappointment with DeMita’s public mentions of a rival league during a live broadcast as the primary reason for the split. DeMita confirmed her firing in a video shared with her 279,000 followers on X, where she also has over a million followers on Instagram.
Details Behind DeMita’s Departure and Social Media Activity
DeMita posted eight tweets about Caitlin Clark on the same day, which coincided with her 35th birthday. The league described the posts as the “final straw” after a collaboration lasting approximately 12 months. Despite the termination, DeMita accepted responsibility without excuses and vowed to
“take the axe on the chin.”
She is engaged to former NBA player Andre Roberson.
Caitlin Clark’s $15 Million Offer from Big3 Revealed
The controversy surrounds a tantalizing contract offer for Clark from Big3. Ice Cube disclosed on The Dan Patrick Show in 2024 that the offer included $10 million over two years, at $5 million per season, with an additional opportunity to gain ownership stakes within the league. Jeff Kwatinetz estimated the total value of the deal could exceed $15 million.
Despite this lucrative offer, Clark, WNBA Rookie of the Year and the Indiana Fever’s top draft pick, is currently under a four-year deal paying $338,056 annually, a figure dwarfed by her endorsement contract. She holds an eight-year, $28 million shoe deal with Nike and reportedly declined a seven-figure contract from the emerging Unrivaled league to focus on offseason training.
Big3’s Vision for Caitlin Clark and the League’s Potential Growth
Ice Cube expressed high hopes for Clark’s arrival, emphasizing the impact her presence could have on the league‘s visibility and growth.
“We believe her coming into the BIG3 would be such a big deal that all boats would rise and the league would benefit from the attention,”
he stated. Along with merchandise plans, the potential stake in team ownership was presented as part of the attraction for Clark.
WNBA and Clark’s Recent On-Court Challenges
The WNBA has faced criticism for not adequately protecting Clark after an incident during the Fever’s win over the Connecticut Sun, where she was the target of what many described as a “cheap shot.” This was not the first time Clark encountered heightened aggression on the court, intensifying the frustration among fans and commentators.
Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports and a vocal Caitlin Clark supporter, condemned the league, referees, and team owners for their handling of such incidents.
“It’s the refs, its the commissioner of the league, its some team owners, they are so f****** stupid and so bad at their jobs for understanding what they have in Caitlin Clark,”
he said.
Portnoy further described Clark as the league’s major draw, whose absence causes viewership to drop significantly. He characterized an opposing player, Jacy Sheldon, as ineffective compared to Clark, highlighting the intense rivalry between the two. Regarding an on-court shove by Marina Mabrey that brought Clark down, Portnoy demanded accountability:
“Marina Mabrey, look in the mirror,”
he urged.
“The reason you have any money before the end of your career is No. 22. Nobody even knew who you were or cared about you until she got in the league. So cheap shot her like that, what are you dumb?”
He criticized the league’s tolerance of repeated fouls against Clark:
“More importantly, the league, the refs, you’re gonna let people take cheap shots like that over and over and over at the face of your league?”
Support for Clark Comes from Teammates Guarding Her Reputation
Clark’s teammate Sophie Cunningham, who holds a black belt in Taekwondo, retaliated against Sheldon during the same game, adding a layer of retribution on Clark’s behalf. The support within the team reflects the ongoing protection Clark receives amid rising tensions on the court.
Growing Frustration in Basketball Circles and What’s at Stake
The firing of Rachel DeMita, layered with the $15 million WNBA league snub drama surrounding Caitlin Clark, underscores the complex tensions currently shaking the basketball community. Clark’s contract disparities and treatment by the league highlight wider debates about player recognition and league competitiveness.
With one-off games offering six times her annual salary on the line and her involvement in alternative leagues being publicly debated, Clark’s career trajectory and off-court negotiations remain intensely scrutinized. The future could see further shifts in league dynamics, endorsements, and player protections as the impact of these controversies continues to unfold.