The Indiana Fever announced on Tuesday that they had picked up the fourth-year option of Caitlin Clark’s rookie deal. Fever GM Amber Cox’s decision to keep the two-time All-Star for at least the 2027 season was not surprising. Clark is one of the team’s best players and the most sought-after player in the WNBA.
The update from the Fever was met with reactions from fans. One fan wrote:
“Do not let her go. Ever! Pay her what she requests.”
Another fan added:
“She makes millions on the side, she should take the minimum if she truly wants to win.”
One more fan continued:
“That’s a given, what isn’t is how the Fever will be able to fit CC, AB and Mitchell under the cap in 2027.”
Another fan reacted:
“Lucky for you Indiana… you need her WAY more than she needs you.”
One fan tweeted:
“Give her a ‘lifetime contract.’ 10-year deal and make sure CC stays forever!”
Caitlin Clark took the WNBA by storm when she arrived in 2024. She helped end the Fever’s seven-year playoff drought and was the near-unanimous Rookie of the Year winner. Clark finished fourth in the MVP voting.
Last year was a disappointment for the Fever and Clark after the superstar point guard played just 13 games. Due to multiple muscle injuries, the team shut her down in September.
The Fever were expected to pick up Caitlin Clark’s fourth-year option despite the injury-ravaged 2025 campaign. She showed in the FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament that she’s ready to lead the team again. Clark punctuated her Team USA senior debut with an MVP performance.
Clark will earn $528,846 this season, a big jump from 2024 ($76,535) and 2025 ($78,066) due to the 2026 CBA, according to Spotrac. In 2027, she will be on the Fever payroll for $597,596.
“EPIC” CBA Provision Allows Caitlin Clark To Renegotiate Fourth-Year Deal With Fever
Besides the significant increase for players regardless of tenure, the 2026 CBA also includes a provision called the “Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract.” Under EPIC, a player who has earned an All-WNBA First or Second Team, the MVP or Defensive Player of the Year, in her rookie contract will be eligible for a max extension by her fourth season.
When Clark finished fourth in the MVP voting in 2024, she was also named to the All-WNBA First Team, making her eligible to exercise EPIC.
Roughly two weeks ago, Caitlin Clark’s teammate Aliyah Boston became the first WNBA player to sign a contract under the EPIC provision. The All-Star center, entering her fourth season in the league, made the All-WNBA Second Team in 2025.
Boston, who was set to earn $574,612 this year, will be in the books for $1 million in 2026. She will then get the supermax deal, 20% of the salary cap, from 2027 until 2029.
Caitlin Clark could negotiate for a supermax contract like Boston or settle for the standard max deal next year, which is 17% of the salary cap.
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