Aliyah Boston simply earned an enormous payday with the Indiana Fever. Following a quick free company interval, she landed the richest whole wage in WNBA historical past.
2026 WNBA free company and offseason will be summed up in a single phrase: A whirlwind.
Because of a historic new collective bargaining settlement, the free company interval was jam-packed inside just a few days. Whereas a brand new $7 million wage cap and $1.4 supermax wage did not alter each staff, there have been loads of twists and turns.
Jackie Younger of the Aces was the primary million-dollar participant, and A’ja Wilson secured the WNBA’s first $5 million greenback contract. On Friday, Boston agreed to return to the Hoosier State and the Fever on a historic four-year, $6.3 million contract extension. First reported by Alex Philippou of ESPN, Boston will obtain a wage of $1 million in 2026, $1.582 million in 2027, $1,740,200 in 2028, and $1,914,220 in 2029—totaling $6,236,420.
„I’m tremendous blessed and grateful for this chance and to proceed my journey right here with the Fever. God is sweet!” Boston mentioned in a press launch. “I’m excited for the long run forward for each myself and for our staff, and I can’t wait to maintain constructing upon every part we have now completed thus far. Go Fever!”
Drafted No. 1 out of South Carolina by Indiana within the 2023 WNBA Draft, Boston was the preliminary blueprint to the Fever’s rebuild. Incomes Rookie of the 12 months honors, she’s since been named a three-time WNBA All-Star, All-Defensive Second Group, All-Rookie Group, and Commissioner’s Cup Champion in 2025.
A local of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Boston has established herself as some of the dominant inside forces, who’s expanded her recreation to the perimeter. A two-way star, Boston is a defensive standout, and some of the deadly gamers within the submit.
Boston Led Fever to Deep Unbelievable Run in 2025
Since arriving in Fever nation, Boston has led Indiana to 2 consecutive playoff runs. Most notable, the Fever confronted an early-season id check with out their matriarch Caitlin Clark, however prevailed by way of a number of accidents, significantly later within the season to Aari McDonald, Sophie Cunningham, and Sydney Colson. Incomes a triumphant Commissioner’s Cup victory over the Minnesota Lynx, Boston and firm introduced Indiana its first trophy since 2012.
It could not have resulted in a championship trophy, however Boston and the Fever launched into a deep playoff run. Underneath head coach Stephanie White, the Fever completed with a 24-20 report, good for the No. 6 seed, and earned an inconceivable 2-1 collection first-round victory over the Atlanta Dream.
Aliyah Boston defensive highlights playoffs 2025.
One of the vital underrated features of Fever’s run was AB’s protection as an anchor, particularly her protection vs A’ja Wilson within the Aces collection👏👏👏🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/0NVYilKBfR
— Ashwin (@Sudharsan_ak) October 4, 2025
Their enchanted season didn’t finish there. They trounced the Aces in Sport 1 of the Semifinals, and even challenged them to an exhilarating Sport 5. Nonetheless, they in the end misplaced in extra time, however the Fever had been only one victory away from their first WNBA Finals look since 2015.
A bona fide starter by way of the primary 124 video games of her WNBA storied profession, Boston recorded a career-best 14.5 factors in 2025. In 44 video games, the previous Gamecock posted averages of 8.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.2 steals, and shot 53.8% from the sphere, 20.7% from past the arc, and 76.2% from the free throw line. The Fever re-signed Sophie Cunningham, Lexie Hull, and prolonged a supermax wage to Kelsey Mitchell in free company. Choosing Raven Johnson, Jessica Timmons, and Justine Pissott within the 2026 WNBA Draft, the Fever additional bolstered their frontcourt in free company by way of the signings of Monique Billings and Myisha Hines-Allen.
Aliyah Boston, A’ja Wilson Reset the Market
The transformational CBA shows the numerous affect it’s going to have on present gamers and the long run generations of gamers. In a matter of weeks, Boston rose from a rookie wage to the highest-paid. It is no bizarre extension—Boston secured the richest whole wage ever, a record-breaking contract that creates a brand new commonplace alongside Wilson. On this new period, each gamers outline what’s to return.
However how so?
Underneath the previous CBA, Boston signed a three-year $233,468 rookie-scale contract with the Fever. She was set to earn $94,740 in her final 12 months of the deal, however as an alternative earned a 955 p.c improve in wage for the 2026 season. Per Philippou, Boston will take lowered pay to ensure that the Fever to compete. Set to earn 20% of the cap by way of 2029, she is going to make $1 million as an alternative of $1.19 million in 2026.
„AB’s simply the rock. She’s the one who retains all people settled, retains all people calm, manages conditions.“
Aliyah Boston is not going anyplace. Indiana is house ❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/zA0lTXTTL2
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) April 17, 2026
Included within the new CBA is the Distinctive Efficiency Preliminary Contract (EPIC), which allows top-performing gamers on rookie contracts to barter the ultimate 12 months of their rookie contract. Appearing as an extension, a participant should earn All-WNBA First or Second Group honors, or Most Helpful Participant inside the first three years. This was evident provided that Boston is coming into her fourth season, and garnered All-WNBA Second Group in 2025.
Actually, Boston is the primary participant in WNBA historical past to signal a deal underneath the EPIC provision. Such offers will have an effect on rookies transferring ahead, similar to Bueckers and Clark, who each earned such honors.
Boston, Clark, and firm will start coaching camp on April 19 and can host Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings for the house opener on Might 9.
Sara Jane Gamelli is the Managing Editor and Senior Workers Author at Ballislife.com, in addition to Director of Ballislife Bets. Comply with her on X at @SaraJGamelli.
