The CBA talks are ongoing at the moment. With the WNBA proposing a 30-day deadline extension, things have since been a dead rubber. As per the demands of the athletes, the ask is to provide a better share of revenue. Because at the moment, the athletes are getting just 7% of the total revenue. And this is peanuts compared with the NBA, which gives its players almost a 49% cut.
Now then, amid these tumultuous times, free agency is approaching fast. And the franchises are busy listing out which veteran players they will be going after to strengthen their roster for the next year.
However, a lot of permutations and combinations will be going on ahead of free agency. With financial flexibility a main cause of concern for the franchises, names like Kelsey Mitchell will find it hard to find a team with a proper salary.
Why Is Kelsey Mitchell’s Indiana Fever Return In Jeopardy?
Mitchell had been one of the key players for the Fever this season. In the absence of the big guns, Mitchell’s incredible performance took the Fever to a phenomenal semifinal run. Thus, quite expectedly, ahead of the free agency, Stephanie White has kept Mitchell as the top priority.
But while the team will be looking for a player with financial flexibility, Mitchell might find herself in a tricky situation. With an annual income of $249,244, the Fever star had been earning close to the maximum salary cap last year. Unfortunately, unlike A’ja Wilson and others, Mitchell does not have an off-court brand presence to provide her with the big bucks.
Thus, this year too, the WNBA veteran will be looking to earn the same amount from her salary. And this might become a problem for her resigning from the Fever. Apart from this, Mitchell also has a core designation that allowed her to get signed at the highest salary for one year.
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what a year for Kelsey Mitchell 🥰🎞️ pic.twitter.com/jhcQGGKQta
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) October 13, 2025
But in return, the designation also prevents Mitchell from signing as a free agent with another team. Thus, as the CBA negotiations grow more complicated, the future of stars like Mitchell hangs in the balance. Meanwhile, the Fever star recently expressed her desire to get back to Indiana, but under one condition.
Kelsey Mitchell Has One Condition For Coming Back To Indiana Fever
Mitchell was an MVP candidate last year. As the likes of Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham, and others left due to injuries, the 29-year-old held things together and almost took her side to the finals. Unfortunately, as the season came to an end, during her exit interview, the Fever star expressed uncertainties over her possible return to the Fever.
Meanwhile, in a recent statement, Mitchell detailed the one condition that would make her don the Indiana Fever’s jersey again. “I think yes. The short of it is, the reality of it is yes.”… “I think [family] has to be first and foremost important for me, when I think about free agency. But on the flip side of things, knowing what Indiana means to me, it’s paramount, it’s huge,” Mitchell said.
Bird's Eye View with Sue Bird:
— Caitlin Clark News (@22CCnews) October 25, 2025
Kelsey Mitchell on Her Leg Injury and the Indiana Fever’s Impressive Playoff Run
On this week’s episode we welcome Indiana Fever point guard Kelsey Mitchell!
To begin the episode Sue and Tommy Alter discuss some of the greatest college players of… pic.twitter.com/KOj6iC3Ced
Thus, it is evident that things are looking a tad bit complicated for Mitchell. Now, with uncertainty looming, everyone waits to see what happens next.