Indiana Fever Front-Office Overhaul and Sophie Cunningham’s Response

On October 23 the Indiana Fever announced that team president Kelly Krauskopf stepped down and general manager Amber Cox was dismissed. The moves followed the Fever’s first-round playoff loss to the Las Vegas Aces, ending a season in which the team posted a 28-16 regular-season record and a 5-6 postseason record. Ownership indicated that head coach Stephanie White will remain while a national search for a new general manager begins.

Fever fires general manager Amber Cox after Round 1 loss to Aces

Krauskopf returned to the Fever in 2024 after a tenure with Pacers Sports & Entertainment and oversaw the arrival of star point guard Caitlin Clark. Cox, hired in 2024 from the Dallas Wings, guided the team to a franchise-record 28 wins in 2026 and a combined 52-36 record over two seasons. Despite regular-season success, the Fever failed to advance beyond the first playoff round in both 2025 and 2026, prompting ownership to reassess the front office.

Indiana Fever fire general manager Amber Cox amid front office shakeup

• Regular-season record under Cox: 52-36 (two seasons).

USA Today

• 2026 postseason record: 5-6 (first-round exit).

USA Today

• Kelsey Mitchell averaged 24.7 points per game (second in the league).

USA Today

• Sophie Cunningham averaged 7.9 points per game off the bench and ranked 7th in three-point shooting (41.9 %).

Newsweek

• The Fever were the league’s top three-point shooting team in 2026.

USA Today

• Mel Raines, president and CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, praised Cox’s tenure: “Through her two seasons with the Fever, Amber has helped us navigate the seismic growth of both the WNBA and our franchise.”

USA Today

• The organization’s press release quoted Krauskopf: “It has been an honor and a privilege to help build and steward the Indiana Fever with the support and trust of Herb Simon.”

Sophie Cunningham breaks silence on bombshell shakeup in front office

• Stephanie White is expected to stay as head coach, according to sources.

USA Today

• Ownership emphasized the need for a new general manager who can sustain the franchise’s competitive trajectory and address off-court challenges.

ESPN

Players have highlighted concerns about the Fever’s fan environment. Brianna Turner noted that “players inside and outside the organization have repeatedly issued complaints with the Fever fanbase.” Former Sun forward Alyssa Thomas described the fanbase’s racial comments as “unacceptable.”

ESPN

• “There was not a lot of warning, and that's OK,” — Sophie Cunningham, general manager

Newsweek

• “Hopefully, the Fever come in and bring people who can do a really good job for that program,” — Sophie Cunningham, general manager

Newsweek

The Fever will conduct a national search for a new general manager, expected to conclude before the start of the 2027 free-agency period (opens April 2027). As an unrestricted free agent, Sophie Cunningham will evaluate offers from other teams while the franchise works to rebuild its front office and address the fan-culture issues raised by players.

Sportskeeda