The WNBA’s landmark new CBA is set to shower players with cash, but the league’s biggest draw, Caitlin Clark, is ironically one of the last in line for the massive pay day.
While the signed CBA benefits every player involved, stars like Caitlin Clark remain on a rookie contract and thus won’t be subject to the astronomical increases that other, more seasoned WNBA players might be.
As the Indiana guard prepares to take the new season by storm, let us take a look at her current WNBA contract with the Fever, how the new CBA affects her, and how she stands to benefit from the new terms.
What is Caitlin Clark’s current Fever contract? How does the CBA change her earnings?
Caitlin Clark will enter the third year of her four-year rookie deal with the Indiana Fever, signed when she was drafted first by the franchise in 2024.
If the new CBA terms didn’t exist, Clark’s contract would still stand at $338,056 over her four-year deal. However, the new CBA ensures Clark will earn a base salary of around $530,000, which is a significant increase.
What other benefits will Caitlin Clark get through the new CBA terms?
Apart from the base salary increase, the performance-related bonuses will now also be greater. The MVP award will now pocket players $60,000, whereas an All-WNBA First Team honor will earn players like Clark $30,000.
Clark also stands to gain from a historic revenue-sharing agreement clause in the new CBA deal between the players and the governing body. Other benefits will include charter flights and housing concessions.
What is the EPIC clause? How will it benefit Caitlin Clark?
The Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract clause is specially crafted for new WNBA entrants like Caitlin Clark. While players on a rookie deal must wait out their entire contract before being eligible for a max or a supermax contract, the EPIC clause allows players who show exceptional performance to fast-track their eligibility for the same.
WNBA rookies who earn All-WNBA First Team honors, Second Team honors, or become the league MVP can renegotiate their salary in the fourth season itself, one season ahead of the schedule, and be eligible for max or supermax deals depending on the criteria they qualify for.
As things currently stand, Caitlin Clark will qualify for a max contract in 2027, which could see her earn around $1.3 million in 2027, having earned All-WNBA First Team honors already. However, if she becomes the WNBA MVP this season, the Indiana Fever guard will qualify for a supermax contract in 2027, and her contract could be eligible for a supermax value of $1.7 million.
Clark has already won the Tournament MVP for the USWNT at the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in Puerto Rico, outshining fellow newcomers and veterans sharing the same court.
A fully fit Clark will be a genuine WNBA MVP contender for the upcoming season, and it could force the Indiana Fever to part with a larger sum in 2027. The franchise won’t mind increasing Clark’s salary if she can lead them to a WNBA Championship.
