Ice Cube’s goal was to keep his offer to Caitlin Clark private. At least until the Iowa women’s basketball star made her NCAA Tournament run through March Madness.

However, word got out, so he confirmed what TMZ first reported. Clark has been offered $5 million to play in the Big3 league, which plays eight regular-season games with two potential playoff games.

“We intended the offer to remain private while Caitlin Clark plays for the championship,” Ice Cube wrote on “X,” the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “But I won’t deny what’s now already out there: BIG3 made a historic offer to Caitlin Clark. Why wouldn’t we? Caitlin is a generational athlete who can achieve tremendous success in the BIG3.

“The skeptics laughed when we made Nancy Lieberman the first female coach of a men’s pro team, and she won the championship in her first year. Then Lisa Leslie won it all in year two. With our offer, Caitlin Clark can make history and break down even more barriers for women athletes.”

Clark and her team have advanced to the Sweet 16 in Albany, New York.

Clark is expected to be the WNBA’s No. 1 draft pick on April 15 by the Indiana Fever. WNBA rookie salaries for lottery draft picks (Nos. 1-4) in 2024 are $76,535 and climb to $97,582 by their fourth season.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.