Entering her third WNBA offseason with the Indiana Fever, Caitlin Clark discussed her eligibility for an EPIC contract.
The new collective bargaining agreement includes a provision called "EPIC" (Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract), which allows players to renegotiate the fourth year of their rookie deal and agree to a three-year contract extension. Under the EPIC provision, can earn the max in that fourth year if they were previously named All-WNBA first team or second team or the supermax if they previously won MVP.
The Fever were actually the first WNBA franchise to utilize the provision when center Aliyah Boston signed her four-year, $6.3 million EPIC contract last April.
Clark was an All-WNBA First Team selection in 2024, qualifying
her for an EPIC contract.
"I'm not saying I am going to sign it, I'm not saying I'm gonna sign it or not sign it. I think it's just kind of figuring out the way we need to construct our roster. No matter what, I'm going to be here. I just want to do what's best for the team and make sure we have the opportunity to be able to win championships. That's my main goal.
"Obviously it's a really cool opportunity. I think it's something that's great that was added to the CBA to kind of reward young players that are on their rookie deals. I think now Angel (Reese) will be able to get onto her EPIC as well. Obviously, we saw AB get onto her EPIC, and then Paige (Bueckers) will be able to the following year. Just something that's really cool. I think it shows respect to the young players that are really talented in our league. I just think for myself, it's more a decision of how we can best construct a roster and what's going to best for our team to help us win championships," Clark said.
Caitlin Clark on being eligible for the EPIC extension:
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) October 8, 2026
"No matter what, I'm going to be [with the Fever] ... My focus is on winning. I certainly know what I deserve and what I'm worth, but at the same time, sometimes you have to make sacrifices." pic.twitter.com/2JNMfp84XB
Clark could sign for the projected max of $1.3 million in 2027 and the projected supermax of $1.7 million in 2028, which would be the first year of her extended deal.
Clark reiterated that helping the Fever build a championship-caliber roster is one of her top priorities as she enters contract discussions.
"My focus is on winning. I certainly know what I deserve and what I'm worth, but at the same time, sometimes you have to make sacrifices. I'm not saying I'm not going to sign it, I'm not saying I am going to sign it, I haven't gotten into those discussions. I haven't even honestly given it much thought. I've been playing 18 holes every single day, so I think those are conversations that I'll have with the front office and then ownership about where we want to go and what we need and what sacrifices have to be made or not made, or who we can pay, or who needs this or who needs that," Clark said.
Along with a potential EPIC extension for Clark, Fever general manager Amber Cox has some tough decisions to make this offseason. Kelsey Mitchell, Sophie Cunningham, Tyasha Harris and Myisha Hines-Allen are all unrestricted free agents, meaning there's changes coming to Indiana's roster construction.
Clark has been outspoken that she wants Mitchell back in Indy.
It's going to be an interesting offseason to follow with Clark, Mitchell, and the Fever's approach to their roster construction in 2027 and beyond.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Caitlin Clark undecided on EPIC contract extension with Indiana Fever
