The Indiana Fever announced on Friday that Kelly Krauskopf is stepping down as president of basketball and business operations, while general manager Amber Cox has reportedly been dismissed. The Athletic first reported Cox’s firing late Friday afternoon, following the team’s earlier statement about Krauskopf’s departure.
Krauskopf’s connection to the Fever dates back to their inaugural WNBA season in 2000, when she became the franchise’s first president and general manager. She held those roles until 2018 before moving to the NBA’s Indiana Pacers as their assistant general manager, becoming the first woman in NBA history to hold an executive basketball management position. Krauskopf returned to the Fever in 2024 and was instrumental in hiring Cox as chief operating officer and general manager that same year.
During Krauskopf’s initial tenure, the Fever became one of the league’s most consistent teams. They reached the playoffs 13 times over 19 seasons, including a record 12 consecutive appearances from 2005 to 2016. The franchise won its only WNBA title in 2012 and reached the Finals in 2009 and 2015. Since Krauskopf’s return, the Fever have made the playoffs in each of the past three seasons but have not advanced beyond the semifinals.
The front-office upheaval arrives as the Fever face a critical offseason. Kelsey Mitchell, an unrestricted free agent, remains unsigned, and the organization lacks leadership at the president and general manager levels. Mitchell, drafted second overall by the Fever in 2018, expressed uncertainty about her future with the club during her exit interview.
“I have to be selfish,” Mitchell said. “I think that’s where I am in my career … what I probably need and what’s probably best for me. So I have to be selfish in that room. But I think, ultimately, being on the Fever and being a part of an organization that does come with a lot of ups and downs, what factors in and what is important for me is, obviously, having a good chemistry on and off the floor. I’ve only been with one team my entire career, so it’s all kind of like figuring this out. It’s hard, man.”
Mitchell’s status is a priority for the Fever, according to Cox before her dismissal. Caitlin Clark, the franchise’s rising star who arrived the same year as Cox’s appointment, also spoke about recruiting Mitchell to stay.
“We will recruit her as hard as we can,” Clark said. Clark herself is eligible for an EPIC (Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract) extension, allowing her to renegotiate the fourth year of her rookie deal and add a three-year extension. Clark hinted at a willingness to take a discount but did not confirm whether she would sign the extension.
“I think for myself, my focus is on winning. I certainly know what I deserve and what I’m worth, but at the same time, sometimes you have to make sacrifices,” Clark said during her exit interview.
The Fever’s salary cap situation complicates these contract decisions. Even if Mitchell and Clark accept reduced salaries, three players would still consume roughly 60% of the salary cap. This leaves limited flexibility to construct a competitive roster. The team also carries contracts of Monique Billings and Lexie Hull, each earning about $800,000 next season, deals made last offseason under Krauskopf and Cox that have drawn criticism.
With no president or general manager in place, the Fever face pressure to move swiftly. Krauskopf informed the organization of her decision before the end of the season, implying some succession planning may have been underway. The next front-office hires will confront immediate challenges, including whether to retain coach Stephanie White amid the organizational changes.
After a first-round playoff exit to the Las Vegas Aces, the Fever’s offseason agenda is packed. They must resolve key player contracts, rethink roster construction under financial constraints, and settle leadership questions before the 2027 season begins. The timing leaves whoever replaces Krauskopf and Cox with little margin for error as the franchise seeks to build on Caitlin Clark’s growing global profile.
According to CBS.
