Rachel DeMita’s departure from the Big3 basketball league appears to be linked to her recent actions on social media, particularly a tweet highlighting standout player Caitlin Clark during a live game. DeMita joined the league as a courtside correspondent in June 2024, aiming to infuse a modern, digital-friendly approach to Big3 broadcasts. However, her tenure was cut short after she tweeted a video showcasing Clark’s skills, which reportedly did not sit well with the league’s management.
The controversy arises against the backdrop of the Big3’s significant efforts to recruit Clark earlier this year, offering her an extraordinary two-year contract worth $10 million, which included partial team ownership, a share of merchandise profits, and a substantial advance for a documentary. Despite these enticing offers, Clark chose to prioritize her rookie season in the WNBA and her aspirations for the Paris Olympics.
Interestingly, the Big3’s decision to part ways with DeMita feels like an unfavorable response to the evolving dynamics of basketball fandom and the influence of social media. While DeMita’s role was intended to engage fans with behind-the-scenes content and elevate the league’s digital presence, her abrupt exit suggests a struggle within the league to embrace the younger generation’s engagement styles.
As both DeMita and Clark move forward, this situation reflects the intense pressures and expectations within professional sports environments, particularly for female athletes and influencers. It also raises questions about how leagues adapt to modern media and the growing influence of social platforms in promoting athletes.
The Big3 may have lost a promising correspondent, but the conversation about athlete representation and the relationship between sports and social media continues to gain momentum. The implications of this story serve as a reminder of the potential consequences of cultural misalignments within organizations aiming to connect with a new generation of fans.