The Indiana Fever officially exercised the fourth-year option on Caitlin Clark’s rookie contract, securing her through the 2027 season. While routine for top picks, this move is a strategic necessity for the franchise to lock in their star player and continue to capitalize on her historic impact.
Under the WNBA’s current Collective Bargaining Agreement, exercising this option triggers the EPIC (Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract) provision. Because Clark earned All-WNBA honors as a rookie, this allows her to renegotiate her fourth-year salary to a much higher figure and potentially sign a multi-year supermax extension. Her compensation is projected to jump from roughly $78,000 in 2025 to over $500,000 in 2026, with the 2027 option year serving as the foundation for a future max-level contract, this is similar to the deal that Aliyah Boston, Clark’s teammate, signed two weeks ago.
By finalizing this team option, the Fever ensure roster stability and eliminate any risk of Clark becoming an unrestricted free agency after 2026. This allows the franchise to focus on their upcoming season, which starts this May 9th, and build long-term around their core talent. This basically confirms that Clark will remain as the face of Indiana franchise for the foreseeable future while receiving a significant pay raise.
we have exercised Caitlin Clark's fourth year option 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Vo1UCmqlNA
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) April 28, 2026
