Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark said Thursday she hasn’t decided whether to sign her Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract (EPIC) extension, telling reporters at her exit interview that winning a WNBA title matters more to her than maximizing her salary.
“I certainly know what I deserve and what I’m worth,” Clark said. “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.”
Clark spoke one week after the Las Vegas Aces eliminated the sixth-seeded Fever with a 94-83 win in Game 3 of the first round.
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What did Clark say about EPIC?
Indiana exercised the fourth-year option on Clark’s rookie deal in April, keeping her under contract through 2027 at roughly $597,596. Because she earned All-WNBA honors as a rookie, the new collective bargaining agreement lets her sign a max extension before that fourth season begins. An EPIC deal must reportedly run at least three years, which would keep Clark in Indianapolis through 2030.
“No matter what, I’m going to be here,” Clark said. “I just want to do what’s best for the team and make sure we have the opportunity to win championships. That’s my main goal.”
The former Iowa star added that contract talks haven’t started. “I haven’t gotten into those discussions,” Clark said.
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Fever salary cap and Kelsey Mitchell
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) stands for the national anthem Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
General manager Amber Cox has called Clark’s extension a top priority, but Indiana already carries Aliyah Boston’s $1.4 million salary, and Kelsey Mitchell hits unrestricted free agency for the first time after nine seasons with the franchise. Cox has said re-signing Mitchell and keeping the Clark, Boston and Mitchell trio together leads her offseason list.
That trio powered the highest-scoring offense in WNBA history at 96.0 points per game, and Clark averaged a career-high 22.3 points.
Clark praised the provision. “I think it shows respect to the young players who are really talented in our league,” Clark said.
Clark said the final number will come out of talks with the front office and ownership about “what sacrifices have to be made or not made, who we can pay, or who needs this and who needs that.”
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How did Clark answer Mitchell?
Mitchell said at her own exit interview Saturday that Clark’s spotlight brings scrutiny to the rest of the roster. “Playing with CC and having the eyes that she got, we get a lot of flak for just being on her team,” Mitchell said.
Clark responded Thursday. “I think as her teammate, it makes me upset … I think as far as people that have used me to demonstrate racist hate or rhetoric, that’s not something I stand for … It’s never been something I stand for,” Clark said.
Mitchell’s free agency decision will determine how much cap room Indiana has left once Clark’s extension talks begin.
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