Caitlin Clark’s All-Star Teammate Becomes First WNBA Player to Sign $1.4 Million Supermax

Guards Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell have been a great combination in the Indiana Fever backcourt.

Caitlin Clark’s All-Star Teammate Becomes First WNBA Player to Sign $1.4 Million Supermax

Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Caitlin Clark's teammate Kelsey Mitchell signed a one-year Supermax deal worth $1.4 million, making her the first WNBA player to earn the full Supermax.
  • The Indiana Fever have approximately $5.6 million in cap space remaining after Mitchell's signing, allowing for potential roster improvements.
  • Mitchell's new contract exceeds her total earnings of $1.12 million from her first eight seasons in the league.

After working out all throughout the offseason, Caitlin Clark is anxiously waiting for her third season in the WNBA with the Indiana Fever.

Before last season, she went through the same process, prioritizing rest and working on her game. However, no one anticipated that she would struggle with soft-tissue injuries this early in her career.

For someone who has inadvertently projected herself as an otherwise reliable and healthy athlete, last year was a challenge. It took an emotional toll, and that is why fans saw her tear up for the first time.

During that campaign, Caitlin Clark also had something to cheer for, as her Fever had surprised everyone to reach the playoff semi-finals, and even give eventual champions, the Las Vegas Aces, a run for their money.

The hope this season was that she would add to that squad once she returned healthy. At the same time, there was also some skepticism over the roster construction, especially with nearly every other player a free agent.

The point guard, along with Aliyah Boston and rookie Makayla Timpson, were the only players on contract, which meant the Fever would have to sign another nine first-teamers and two developmental players.

Last season, Clark celebrated when the franchise signed her backcourt running mate Kelsey Mitchell to the highest salary possible. Now, they have done it again. This time, while setting a WNBA record of sorts for their speedy sharpshooter.

The Fever handed veteran guard a one-year Supermax deal that will see $1.4 million reach her bank account this season. That makes her the first to earn the full Supermax, even though others were touted to be in line to get it first.

Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell need most of their teammates back

Since Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Makayla Timpson are going to earn their adjusted rookie-scale contracts, the Indiana Fever are already in a good place, salary cap-wise.

Fever should hope to bring most of these players back
Fever should hope to bring most of these players back (Image via WNBA/X)

Now that Kelsey Mitchell has been rewarded with $1.4 million, that leaves the Fever with roughly 75% cap space, or approximately $5.6 million.

Over nine players, that is an average of approximately $620K. Even though it might seem like a lot, Lexie Hull, Natasha Howard, and Sophie Cunningham will need to be compensated well for their exemplary performances last season.

On top of that, the Fever tried to get a star player at the small forward position, which ultimately ended up backfiring. It is not clear whether they want to go down that route again this season by going after one of the available superstar forwards.

If they do, considering how such a player can help Caitlin Clark, that decision alone will tighten their available cash. It will become more difficult to bring back most of the players from last season’s surprising campaign.

Kelsey Mitchell will earn more than she did in her first eight years in the WNBA

Kelsey Mitchell may not be the first WNBA player to break the $1 million mark. However, what should surprise fans is that Mitchell is going to earn more than what she made in her prior years in the league. Since being selected second overall in the 2018 draft, the Ohio State alum has quietly grown into one of the most important players for the organization.

Despite their disappointing past, she never quit and signed with another team just to win a championship. Instead, her loyalty saw her earn a grand total of $1.12 million over the eight years she has worn Fever colors.

Now, in one year alone, she will deservedly usurp that number. If she stays playing to the high standards she has set for herself, that number will only continue to rise.

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