Big3 Dismisses Rachel DeMita After Caitlin Clark Tweet Controversy

Unexpected Turn of Events for Big3 Commentator

The Big3 basketball league has made headlines with the abrupt firing of courtside commentator Rachel DeMita. This decision, reported by Front Office Sports, followed her controversial tweets celebrating Iowa star Caitlin Clark during a simultaneous Big3 event.

The Incident

• Date of the Controversy: Saturday, when DeMita tweeted while covering a Big3 game.
• Number of Posts: DeMita posted eight times, all focused on Clark’s performance.
• Key Tweet: At 3:32 p.m., DeMita quote-tweeted a highlight reel of Clark’s impressive return after an injury, stating, “for those who questioned the hype.”

This overlapping timeline is significant, as the Big3 had scheduled four games on that day, starting at 3 p.m. ET.

Ongoing Rivalry: Clark and Big3

The relationship between Caitlin Clark and the Big3 has been strained since Clark declined a lucrative $10 million offer to join the league. Ice Cube, co-founder of Big3, acknowledged this in a previous interview on The Dan Patrick Show, stating:

“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.”

Financial Incentives

• Big3 Contract Offer: $10 million over two years, including discussions about team ownership and merchandise benefits.
• Current Earnings: Clark’s WNBA contract pays her approximately $84,500 annually, significantly less than the Big3 offer. However, her endorsement deals, including a historic eight-year contract with Nike worth $28 million, have altered her financial landscape.

DeMita’s Career and Impact

Rachel DeMita, a prominent figure in sports commentary, boasts nearly 279,000 followers on X and has over 1 million followers on Instagram. Her selection by the Big3 was intended to offer fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the league and highlight its star players, including Nancy Liberman, Lisa Leslie, and Carmelo Anthony.

Quotes and Responses

Interestingly, since the announcement of her firing, DeMita has not made any public statements on her social media regarding the situation.

Moving Forward

As the Big3 continues to grow and evolve, the absence of DeMita signals the league’s commitment to maintaining a focus on its brand and relationships, particularly in the competitive landscape of basketball.

For more insights into the world of basketball, including updates on Caitlin Clark and the Big3, check out ESPN and Sports Illustrated.