The league is set to rake in hundreds of millions of dollars from expansion fees and a new media rights deal. And the players' union is pushing for a new contract to change a legacy of low pay.

Clark and Reese developed a rivalry after facing off in the 2023 NCAA women's basketball championship, and have played against each other since they both were drafted to the WNBA earlier this year.

Caitlin Clark became the all-time leading scorer in college basketball history during her time as a student, while Angel Reese led the SEC division in points and rebounds for two seasons.

Iowa and LSU drew the second-largest audience for any basketball game on ESPN since 2012, the network said. Reese said Wednesday that like Clark, she will leave college for the pros.