INDIANAPOLIS — When the Indiana Fever front office heard there was an option to extend Aliyah Boston ahead of restricted free agency in 2027, they jumped at the chance.
On Friday, Boston became the first player in league history to sign an extension on the EPIC (exceptional players on initial contracts) clause that was introduced in the new league collective bargaining agreement. It allows players who have made All-WNBA teams to renegotiate their fourth-year contracts up to the max, as long as they also sign an extension with the team.
Boston, the 2023 No. 1 pick, was eligible via her All-WNBA second-team nod in 2025. She was the only player eligible for the extension in her 2023 draft class.
For the Fever front office, it was a no-brainer to sign Boston to this extension. It allows them to bypass a restricted free agency period, which would’ve gone into effect in 2027, and keep Boston in the Fever organization for three additional years.
“We were really excited when we got the information from the CBA that this was going to be an option for us,” Cox told IndyStar on the “Fever Insider” podcast. “I mean, obviously Aliyah has been a real cornerstone of this franchise since she arrived as the No. 1 pick and out of the gate has been an incredible player in the league. … We’re just absolutely thrilled to be able to offer this to her, to have her be the very first in league history to receive this contract. And then, of course, above all, have her locked up for several years on the horizon.”
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Sources confirmed to IndyStar that Boston will make $1 million in 2026, then the supermax, which is 20% of the team’s cap, for three seasons from 2027-29. Boston will not be eligible to be cored following the extension.
Boston’s $1 million salary will replace her projected fourth-year rookie scale salary of $574,612. In 2026, she will make over 10 times her 2025 salary of $83,371.
“I’m super blessed and grateful for this opportunity and to continue my journey here with the Fever. God is good!” Boston said in a statement. “I’m excited for the future ahead for both myself and for our team, and I can’t wait to keep building upon everything we have accomplished so far. Go Fever!”
Boston was eligible for the full regular max of $1.19 million in 2026 through the EPIC clause, but she opted to take slightly less in the form of $1 million in order for the Fever to make some additional free agency signings.
The Fever are projected to have just $4,000 left in cap room after Boston’s contract, according to salary details obtained by Her Hoop Stats. Indiana only has 11 spots filled right now, but will likely add one of their three players on a training camp contract to the standard roster at the end of training camp.
The Fever were not able to afford giving Boston a full max because of money spent elsewhere:
But Boston, Cox said, values winning above anything else.
“Aliyah is such a team player,” Cox said. “Obviously, she wants to win above all. Her winning pedigree is in her competitiveness is what makes her elite. This was part of the conversation as we were going through free agency, as we were talking about players that we were potentially able to sign. And we’re just really grateful that Aliyah worked with us on this and really allowed us to create some depth at every position, because she was willing to shave off a few dollars.”
The Fever valued financial flexibility in this free agency period, especially considering Clark will be up for an EPIC raise in 2027. Clark is eligible to make up to the max in 2027 due to her All-WNBA first-team nod in 2024, but that could rise to the supermax if she wins MVP this season.
The Fever will have to contend with a supermax (Boston’s salary) and a max (Clark’s salary) taking up 37% of their cap room in 2027. Both players could potentially be on supermaxes starting in 2028, taking up 40% of the cap for two players.
The Fever are the only team that have two players eligible for EPIC contract extensions in their respective fourth years. There are three players league-wide that have eligibility for EPIC: Dallas guard Paige Bueckers will be able to negotiate in 2028 because of her All-WNBA second-team nod in 2025.
So, this cap math is unique to the Fever. And they plan to do everything they can to keep Clark and Boston in Indianapolis long-term.
“We want those two around for their careers, the duration of their careers,” Cox said. “And (the EPIC clause) really gives us the opportunity to plan now, whereas under the old CBA, they would be coming off of their rookie scale contract, and then you’re going into restricted free agency, and that’s only a couple of years. This gives us a longer runway to really plan, so we love this.”
Chloe Peterson is the Indiana Fever beat reporter for IndyStar. Reach her at chloe.peterson@indystar.com or follow her on X at @chloepeterson67. Get IndyStar’s Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter. Subscribe to IndyStar TV: Fever for in-depth analysis, behind-the-scenes coverage and more.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Fever have WNBA’s most unique salary cap situation. GM Amber Cox explains plan for future
Reporting by Chloe Peterson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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