INDIANAPOLIS — In a move sending ripples through the WNBA and sports world alike, Kelly Krauskopf has officially returned to the Indiana Fever as team president, leaving behind her groundbreaking six-year tenure as the first female assistant general manager in the NBA with the Pacers. Krauskopf’s return marks a full-circle moment for a woman who has been at the forefront of professional basketball for decades, now stepping back into the spotlight as the Fever ride the wave of superstar Caitlin Clark’s meteoric rise.
“Leaving the NBA to join the Fever was a bold step, but Caitlin Clark’s rise was transforming the league before our eyes,” Krauskopf said. “I wanted to be part of that energy, to help shape the future of women’s basketball in a moment that’s bigger than any single team. It’s an exhilarating challenge.” Her words underscore the enormous impact Clark has had on the league, bringing unprecedented attention, fan engagement, and visibility to women’s basketball, much like Tamika Catchings did during the Fever’s historic 12-year playoff streak.
Krauskopf, who was part of the WNBA from its inception in 1996 as the first director of basketball operations, has long witnessed the league’s growing pains and triumphs. She recalls her early playing days at Texas A&M, when women’s programs were underfunded, locker rooms were tucked beneath bleachers, and athletes often bought their own uniforms and gear. “We wore the exact same uniform every single season…bought with our own money,” Krauskopf remembered. These experiences shaped her understanding of resilience, resourcefulness, and advocacy for women in sports — qualities she brings to the Fever today.
Returning to the Fever, Krauskopf aims to not just replicate the Catchings era, but to surpass it — with the world now watching. “I want the Fever to beat that 12-year playoff record, to become a generational franchise that kids grow up and talk about, like they did with the Colts or Pacers,” she said. Her vision is to create moments that are remembered: first tickets, first games, first jerseys, all in a city that has embraced women’s sports leadership.
The Fever have already seen a surge in attention thanks to Clark. Krauskopf points out that even during Clark’s injuries, the fanbase remained loyal, proving that the league’s growth isn’t just tied to one player but to the momentum she has sparked. “It took a player like Caitlin to introduce the W to many fans who weren’t watching during that 12-year playoff streak we were on. There’ll be more Caitlin Clarks now that there are more eyeballs and more fans,” Krauskopf explained.
Her return is also a statement about the rise of women in sports executive leadership, with Indianapolis emerging as a top city for female sports executives. Krauskopf’s leadership blends historical perspective, business acumen, and a deep commitment to nurturing talent both on and off the court.
In this moment, the Fever are more than a team — they are part of a cultural shift in women’s basketball, and Krauskopf is at the helm, ready to shape the next chapter. “It’s thrilling to be a part of something so special now, and to see how these women are celebrated and revered for being great athletes and great community pillars,” she said.
With Caitlin Clark electrifying fans and Krauskopf guiding the franchise, the Fever are poised not just to compete, but to redefine what a generational WNBA team can look like. This is a new era in Indiana, and the world is watching.
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