In the past few hours, a report has emerged indicating that Kelsey Mitchell is close to finalizing a $1.4 million supermax deal to return to the Indiana Fever.
Although the agreement has not been officially confirmed, the number alone already marks a turning point in how salaries are being discussed across the league. This type of contract wouldn’t have been possible just a few years ago.
Why this deal is only possible now
For a long time, the WNBA supermax salary sat in the $200K to $250K range. Even top players often had to supplement their income by playing overseas. The new collective agreement changed that landscape. Now, the salary ceiling can reach up to $1.4 million, opening up a completely different reality.
Mitchell’s potential deal isn’t just about one player or one team. It speaks to the moment the league is in. It signals that the value of players is being reconsidered, and that growing interest, viewership, and media impact are starting to be reflected in salaries.
For the Indiana Fever, keeping Kelsey Mitchell would be a key decision within their project. With Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston as foundational pieces, her return would bring stability and experience to a team still taking shape. It could also make her the first player in franchise history to surpass the $1 million mark in salary.
The WNBA is entering a phase where salaries are beginning to align with the impact of its stars, where the conditions to retain talent are different, and where the league’s growth is starting to show in ways that directly affect players financially.
What once had a ceiling near $250K can now reach $1.4 million. And that changes everything. While the deal is not yet official, if it does go through, it would be a clear sign of a league that is starting to feel different especially in the paychecks of its players.
Read the full article here
