The WNBA’s new salary era has arrived fast. On April 17 — just two days after A’ja Wilson set the record — Aliyah Boston broke it.
The Indiana Fever and their star forward agreed to a four-year, $6.3 million contract extension, making Boston the highest total-value contract holder in league history. Per ESPN’s Alexa Philippou, Boston will earn $1 million in the 2026 season, then scale to 20% of the team’s salary cap through 2029.
What makes this deal especially significant is how it was structured. Boston’s extension is the first in WNBA history to use the new EPIC provision — Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract — a mechanism in the newly ratified collective bargaining agreement that allows players on rookie deals to reach max-eligibility early if they earn All-WNBA honors or win MVP in their first three seasons. Boston was named to the All-WNBA Second Team in 2025, making her the first player ever eligible — and the first to cash in.
The deal also reflects something worth noting: Boston agreed to take $190,000 less than she was eligible for in the first year so the Fever could build around her. She was picked No. 1 overall out of South Carolina in the 2023 draft, has averaged 14.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game across her first three seasons, and helped Indiana reach the semifinals last year despite a wave of injuries to teammates including Caitlin Clark.
“I’m super blessed and grateful for this opportunity,” Boston said in a statement. “God is good! 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.”
She’s been the Fever’s anchor — steady, selfless, and increasingly dominant. Now she’s also the highest-paid player in league history.
Caitlin Clark. Kelsey Mitchell. Aliyah Boston. Indiana is building something real. And Boston just made sure she’ll be there for all of it.