The Indiana Fever have found themselves at the center of WNBA headlines once again, navigating a whirlwind offseason filled with uncertainty, leadership changes, and player adversity. Just days after the organization parted ways with head coach Christie Sides, the Fever’s front office, players, and fans are left grappling with questions about the franchise’s future and the ever-shifting landscape of women’s professional basketball.
Sides’ departure, announced on October 11, 2025, sent shockwaves through the league. Despite having two years remaining on her four-year contract and recently guiding the Fever to their first playoff berth since 2016, Sides was let go after only two seasons at the helm. The move surprised many, especially given the praise she’d received from Fever President of Basketball Operations Kelly Krauskopf just weeks before.
"Leave it better than you found it," Sides wrote in a brief but poignant message on X, signaling her intention to exit with dignity. Krauskopf, in the official team statement, acknowledged Sides’ contributions: "We are incredibly thankful to Coach Sides for embracing the challenge of leading us through an integral transition period over the last two seasons, while also positioning us well for future growth." She added, "While decisions like these are never easy, it is also imperative that we remain bold and assertive in the pursuit of our goals, which includes maximizing our talent and bringing another WNBA championship back to Indiana. Coach Sides was an incredible representative of the Fever and our community, and we wish her nothing but success in the future."
Despite the public gratitude, the decision to move on from Sides has left many scratching their heads. Krauskopf herself had recently lauded Sides’ culture-building abilities and resilience, remarking, "It takes time. It took a long time for the teams that I've had to jell and to get together, I mean, years. It doesn't happen in four months. It takes a few years. I was really impressed with the progress that they made and how Christie is a resilient leader. You know, she's a culture-builder. I know just that she's got that kind of, you know, stamina to stick to it and stick to her plan, and she's a good person, and she's a great leader. I was impressed with the way they finished." Yet, with the team’s ambitions set sky-high, the front office opted for a new direction.
Speculation is swirling that Stephanie White, former Connecticut Sun coach, is the leading candidate to take over. White’s arrival would not only bring a fresh perspective but, according to league insiders, could instantly elevate the Fever to championship contender status. The prospect of White’s leadership is tantalizing for a franchise hungry for another WNBA title, but nothing is set in stone as the search continues.
Amid coaching changes, the Fever’s front office faces a daunting offseason defined by league-wide uncertainty. The WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is set to expire on October 31, 2025, and negotiations have been tense. With the possibility of a lockout looming, teams are left in limbo. The upcoming expansion draft—welcoming the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo in 2026—can’t proceed until a new CBA is ratified. Free agency, the draft lottery, and player contract negotiations all hinge on the outcome of these talks.
General manager Amber Cox summed up the team’s pragmatic approach: "I think we control the controllables. You start prepping for, obviously, the college season, for what's going on internationally, planning out our scouting, both domestically and internationally. We are talking to all the players (during exit interviews), obviously focused on development plans for them, finding out what their needs are, how we can support them. So really, just focus on what we can control, and as things roll out, we'll be ready to go. That's the biggest thing—plan, as much as you can."
That planning is crucial, as only three players—Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Makayla Timpson—are currently under contract for the 2026 season. Several others, including Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham, have expressed interest in returning, while Kelsey Mitchell is the organization’s top priority in free agency. The rest of the roster remains in flux, with the Fever’s ultimate shape for next year dependent on how the CBA negotiations play out.
Head coach Stephanie White, if she does take the reins, will inherit a roster in transition and a league at a crossroads. Her philosophy echoes Cox’s steady mindset: "You get exhausted if you start thinking about the what ifs and what can happen," White said. "... Right now, I'm just going to be where my feet are. I'm going to take it one day at a time. We'll have conversations, certainly, as a staff and organization, but until we know what direction we can go, it's just being in the moment."
On the player side, the Fever’s young core has faced its own challenges. Caitlin Clark, the 2024 Rookie of the Year and the team’s breakout star, was limited to just 13 games this season due to quadriceps and groin injuries. She still managed to average an impressive 16.5 points, 8.8 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game before being sidelined for the remainder of the season in early September. Clark’s absence was felt on the court, but her presence off it became a source of inspiration.
Veteran teammate Sydney Colson, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury in August, offered Clark invaluable advice during her recovery. On the "Good Follow" podcast, Colson shared, "I would be talking to her a lot—Make sure you're still being vocal. You don't want to lose this time with your teammates. Because you're injured or sidelined, you're still using that opportunity to lead or to grow relationships. Don't let it be a wasted season because you can't physically contribute."
Colson went on to praise Clark’s resilience and leadership, noting, "I think her desire to become a better leader, and to come back—because there were times where she thought she was coming back, and then it wasn't happening, or another little thing would happen that turned into a big thing—but to see her fun side, that was an important part. To see her being jovial, and lighthearted, and having fun with her teammates, I don't think that was a side people saw a lot last season."
With only Clark, Boston, and Timpson locked in for the future, the Fever’s roster is poised for significant changes. The fate of veterans like Colson remains uncertain, but the bonds formed and the lessons learned during this tumultuous season will undoubtedly shape the team’s identity moving forward.
The Fever’s journey through leadership upheaval, player adversity, and league-wide uncertainty is far from over. As the franchise awaits clarity on the CBA and potential new coaching leadership, the focus remains on preparation, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of a championship. For Indiana, the offseason may be filled with unknowns, but the determination to rise above them is crystal clear.
