A two-week-old Caitlin Clark report has suddenly turned into one of the biggest controversies surrounding the Indiana Fever. Then, Fever Insider and reporter of 13 years, Scott Agness, shared that the point guard’s game status from the May 20 game against the Portland Fire changed to unavailable just 100 minutes before the tip-off, something that did not align with the league’s rules. What followed was a whirlwind…

The WNBA sent the Fever a notice, the Fever reasoned the sudden change, and finally, the team took action. First, they ensured Clark’s name was under probable on every injury report unless she is indeed one hundred percent. It made sense, given this still aligns with the league’ wants.’s guidelines. Second, they revoked Agness’ credentialed access to the team. This one, however, didn’t sit well with many in the reporting world.

“This is absolutely CRIMINAL.” Jason Whitlock tweeted today. “Pat McAfee, as the strongest media voice in Indianapolis, has to address this. The Caitlin Clark Six must be STOPPED. It’s a group of communist. @PatMcAfeeShow Dakich, this is why I’ve been critical. You’re missing the bigger story. @dandakich”

Agness revealed this development through Fieldhouse Files, where he stated that the Indiana Fever public relations team informed him through email that they had revoked his credentialed access to all team events due to what the organization described as “spread of inaccurate and unsubstantiated information.”

The Fever specifically objected to an update Agness posted roughly 100 minutes before tip-off against Portland.

“Fever guard Caitlin Clark will NOT play tonight vs Portland Fire. I’m told it’s part of a strategic management plan for the season,” he wrote back then.

But did that account for removing a reporter’s presence in the camp? After all, Clark indeed did not suit up against the Fire. Christine Brennan, another reporter who had seen some bad days due to her coverage of Clark, doesn’t agree.

“The Indiana Fever have revoked the credential of the longest-serving reporter covering the team,” Brennan wrote. “Scott Agness announced that he has been banned because of his reporting on Caitlin Clark’s surprising absence from a game in May.

“Banning a reporter is never the right thing to do.”

The problem wasn’t just the announcement. That report quickly ignited discussion among fans, as Clark’s role within the Fever had already been a topic of debate throughout the season. And what Agness wrote, along with the fact that Clark did not practice on Tuesday, only added fuel to existing speculation.

Later that evening, it was revealed that the 24-year-old had been sidelined due to back stiffness. However, the WNBA still issued a warning to the Fever, citing the injury reporting procedures.

Agness revealed that the franchise specifically had a problem with the phrase “strategic management plan.”

Keith Murphy suggested the move had only amplified the controversy, writing, “Fever, file this under ‘Bad Ideas’. Just drew more attention to a story you want to go away.”

Jon Root echoed similar concerns, pointing to the growing scrutiny surrounding the organization.

“The Fever seem to be a mess right now,” Root wrote. “Rumors are flying around that HC Steph White & Clark aren’t getting along (they deny it), fans are questioning whether Clark is being marketed and built around properly, etc.”

He also added that removing access from a respected reporter over an incident like this was “strange to say the very least.”

Although the Fever PR briefly contacted Agness before the Portland game to challenge the accuracy of his report, the reporter claimed that he had no meeting or further discussion before the organization ultimately informed him that they had revoked his credentialed access.

The PBWA announces its take on Scott Agness’ situation

After hearing the decision from the Fever PR, Scott Agness laid out all the facts on how his coverage did not break any rules of reporting. If anything, it was exactly what a reporter should be doing, and that is to help the fans with the correct information as and when it is available. The PBWA agrees.

“The PBWA objects in the strongest possible terms to any reporter losing access for the act of reporting,” PBWA WNBA Chapter board (Howard Megdal, Kareem Copeland, Alexa Phillipou, Cassandra Negley, and Sabreena Merchant) wrote to Front Office Sports.

“Any effort to prevent reporters from doing the work of informing the public reflects poorly on any team and league which attempts to do so, and runs contrary to the best interests of all involved, most of all the public.”

This wasn’t the first time Agness encountered access-related issues while covering professional basketball in Indiana.

Following the Caitlin Clark report fallout, Agness points to a larger pattern

According to the veteran reporter, he has dealt with access restrictions involving Indy’s NBA team, the Indiana Pacers, for more than two years.

Agness explained that before the start of the 2023-24 NBA season, his access to the team changed significantly despite previously being one of the few reporters covering every training camp practice.

They first reduced his daily access to weekends only. Then, the restrictions were later tightened even more following the NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, when they removed Agness’ team access altogether and took him off the organization’s email distribution list.

But despite these setbacks, Agness made it clear that he has no plans to step away from covering professional basketball in Indiana.

Now, the loss of credentialed access will make certain parts of the job more difficult. He has grown a fanbase through the Fieldhouse Files website and the YouTube channel that confirmed accurate information to the Indy fans.

For Agness, the situation represents another challenge in a career that has included more than a decade covering the Fever. However, for the Indiana Fever, this decision has created yet another unwanted controversy at a time when the organization was already under scrutiny following the viral exchange between Caitlin Clark and Stephanie White.