Fever coach Stephanie White drew a line Tuesday, telling online critics they can "go to hell." She spoke to reporters ahead of Indiana's 106-92 win over the New York Liberty, skipping questions to read a statement instead.
Fever Coach Stephanie White Addresses Postgame Criticism
The latest controversy traces back to a physical matchup Saturday against the Chicago Sky. DiJonai Carrington earned an ejection for a Flagrant 2 foul after striking Sophie Cunningham in the neck on a fast-break layup. Indiana still won, 90-86, but some fans quickly accused White of failing to defend her guard in press interviews afterward.
By Tuesday, the Indiana Fever coach had reviewed the tape and called the foul "egregious." From there, White pivoted to the broader noise around the team.
"The hate, the fear-mongering, the divisiveness, the stuff that's trying to hijack our league will not win," White said while pounding the table. "We are united. We will not be divided."
Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham Defend Fever Coach
Support followed almost immediately. Franchise president Kelly Krauskopf issued a same-day statement giving White "the full support of leadership." Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham also backed their coach publicly.
"Our locker room in there, it's tight, and we have each other's backs," Cunningham said of the team's mindset. "Coach loves us. Me and Steph are great. Steph is great with all of us, and so it's really the outside noise that's trying to distract us."
That outside noise includes more controversy generated by a recent ESPN article in which Cunningham spoke out against trans athletes competing in the WNBA. Her comments sparked both rallies and protests at Indiana Fever games, as well as responses from league president Cathy Engelbert and the WNBPA.
For White, the Fever coach hopes the focus can remain on what's happening on the court as Indiana's makes its postseason push.
