Indiana Fever President Kelly Krauskopf has reportedly deleted her X account after facing backlash for comments she made about Caitlin Clark and the team's future. The account, previously active under the handle "@k2indytex," is now offline.
The controversy stems from remarks Krauskopf made about her vision for the Indiana Fever, expressing her desire to build an "enduring brand like Apple". She stated, "This is about the Indiana Fever. Yes, we have a foundational player in Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, and we're going to continue to add to that. But I want this team to be a leader in the country and a brand, an enduring brand, like Apple or something. We have a real opportunity here".
These comments, initially made during her introductory press conference on October 8, resurfaced and quickly went viral, drawing criticism from fans. Many felt that Krauskopf was diminishing the importance of Clark's presence and contributions to the team. Some fans pointed out that the surge in interest and ticket sales was largely due to Clark's arrival, and questioned the wisdom of downplaying her significance.
The online reaction was swift and harsh. Social media users tagged and reposted the comments, expressing their displeasure with Krauskopf's perspective. Some fans tweeted directly at the Fever, threatening to withdraw their support if Clark were to leave the team. One fan commented, "This team is screwed up from the top down". Another stated, "We're being SCAMMED by the Fever [organization]. They DGAF about you, Aliyah Boston or Caitlin Clark. It's all a shameless $$$ grab".
The timing of Krauskopf's remarks also drew scrutiny, as the Fever, while showing improvement, were still working towards consistent wins. Critics questioned whether branding should be a priority when the team's performance was still developing.
Krauskopf's career includes leading the Fever from 2000 to 2018, a period marked by 13 playoff appearances, three WNBA Finals appearances, and a league title in 2012. She also broke barriers in the NBA, becoming the first woman to hold an executive role in basketball operations with the Indiana Pacers. Her return to the Fever in late 2024 was part of a significant reset, aimed at building a contender around Clark.
Despite the backlash, some observers suggest that Krauskopf's intention was simply to express long-term goals for the team. However, the way those goals were framed sparked concern among fans focused on immediate success and Clark's role in it.
WNBA legend Tamika Catchings has been a source of support for Clark. Clark has spoken about Catchings' influence, noting that she was one of the first people to reach out after she was drafted and continues to check in on her. Fever coach Stephanie White has even compared Clark's work ethic to that of Catchings, highlighting their shared commitment to excellence.
