Caitlin Clark Undecided On EPIC Extension, Says ‘No Matter What, I’m Gonna Be Here’
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Caitlin Clark Undecided On EPIC Extension, Says 'No Matter What, I'm Gonna Be Here' Caitlin Clark is now eligible for a contract extension under the WNBA's new "EPIC" provision, but the Indiana Fever star has not committed to signing it. Clark said she wants to consider how the deal would impact the team's salary cap and roster.
"We have to think about things with the cap," said Clark, "and what we're going to need and who we're going to need to sign and what value they bring to the team.
"Not saying I'm going to 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 gonna 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. Like, that's my main goal."
The EPIC (Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract) provision in the latest collective bargaining agreement lets qualifying players renegotiate the fourth year of their rookie deals and sign three-year extensions.
Clark could earn the projected max of $1.3 million in 2027 and the projected supermax of $1.7 million in 2028. Players qualify for the max with a prior first- or second-team All-WNBA selection, while the supermax requires an MVP award.
The three-time All-Star was the 2024 Rookie of the Year and a first-team All-WNBA pick that season. She ranked third in scoring and second in assists this season.
The Fever lost in the first round of the playoffs as the No. 6 seed for the third straight year, and Kelsey Mitchell, Sophie Cunningham, Tyasha Harris and Myisha Hines-Allen are all unrestricted free agents.
Clark said she plans to help general manager Amber Cox with roster decisions and free-agent recruiting. Clark called it a responsibility as a team leader.
"Those are definitely conversations we have with Amber," said Clark. "At the end of the day, Amber's the GM and she makes the final call, but she certainly asks us our opinion, and wants us to have a voice in that."
Caitlin Clark is now eligible for a contract extension under the WNBA’s new “EPIC” provision, but the Indiana Fever star has not committed to signing it. Clark said she wants to consider how the deal would impact the team’s salary cap and roster.
“We have to think about things with the cap,” said Clark, “and what we’re going to need and who we’re going to need to sign and what value they bring to the team.
“Not saying I’m going to 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 gonna 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. Like, that’s my main goal.”
The EPIC (Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract) provision in the latest collective bargaining agreement lets qualifying players renegotiate the fourth year of their rookie deals and sign three-year extensions.
Clark could earn the projected max of $1.3 million in 2027 and the projected supermax of $1.7 million in 2028. Players qualify for the max with a prior first- or second-team All-WNBA selection, while the supermax requires an MVP award.
The three-time All-Star was the 2024 Rookie of the Year and a first-team All-WNBA pick that season. She ranked third in scoring and second in assists this season.
The Fever lost in the first round of the playoffs as the No. 6 seed for the third straight year, and Kelsey Mitchell, Sophie Cunningham, Tyasha Harris and Myisha Hines-Allen are all unrestricted free agents.
Clark said she plans to help general manager Amber Cox with roster decisions and free-agent recruiting. Clark called it a responsibility as a team leader.
“Those are definitely conversations we have with Amber,” said Clark. “At the end of the day, Amber’s the GM and she makes the final call, but she certainly asks us our opinion, and wants us to have a voice in that.”
