Kelly Krauskopf has been one of the most influential figures in the Indiana Fever’s history, helping build the franchise from the ground up and guiding it to its first WNBA championship in 2012. Now, after nearly three decades of breaking barriers across professional basketball, Krauskopf is preparing to close this chapter following the Fever’s early playoff exit against the Las Vegas Aces.
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As shared by the Indiana Fever on X on Friday, Kelly Krauskopf will be stepping down as president of the franchise. This will bring her time as team president to an end, closing an extraordinary chapter in a career of nearly three decades with Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E), during which she built the Fever from its founding, delivered the franchise’s first WNBA championship, and helped open doors for women across professional basketball.
Speaking about Krauskopf’s departure, Pacers Sports & Entertainment owner Herb Simon reflected on her contributions to the franchise, highlighting her role in building the Fever, delivering a championship, and returning to the organization when her leadership was needed. He also expressed gratitude for everything she has given the organization and described her as a friend.
“When we started the Fever, Kelly saw what this franchise could become,” Herb Simon said. “She built it, delivered a championship and came back when we needed her. She has played an extraordinary role in the growth of women’s basketball in Indianapolis, and our family is grateful for everything she’s given this organization. I’m proud to call her a friend.”
Krauskopf herself has some parting words where she reflected on her experience and spoke about the future of the WNBA team. Fever beat reporter Scott Agness posted her statement on X.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to help build and steward the Indiana Fever with the support and trust of Herb Simon,” Krauskopf said. “I am deeply grateful for the opportunities, relationships, and shared accomplishments that have shaped my time with this organization.”
“The Fever is poised for an exciting future, and I am proud to have helped lay the foundation for its continued growth and success. I will always cherish my time with Pacers Sports and Entertainment and the people who made it so meaningful,” she added.
Krauskopf was hired by PS&E in 1999 to build the Indiana Fever from the ground up ahead of their inaugural season in 2000. Serving as the franchise’s original president and general manager until 2017, she turned the expansion team into a perennial powerhouse. Under her leadership, the Fever made 13 postseason appearances, reached the WNBA Finals three times, and won the WNBA Championship.
However, in December 2018, Krauskopf made a move away from the Indiana Fever, and it was a history-making transition. She joined the Indiana Pacers as an assistant general manager, moving to the men’s side of professional basketball. The appointment made her the first woman in NBA history to hold a high-level executive basketball management role, marking another significant milestone in her groundbreaking career.
She served in this capacity until 2024, helping oversee the Pacers’ roster construction and basketball operations. And following the 2024 WNBA season, Krauskopf returned to the Indiana Fever as president of basketball and business operations, bringing her experience back to the franchise she had helped establish more than two decades earlier.
Her second stint saw her bring in veteran executive Amber Cox to serve as the team’s Chief Operating Officer and General Manager, bring Stephanie White back to Indiana for her second stint as head coach, lead the development of the Fever’s new $78 million sports performance center, and guide the franchise through an era of unprecedented global attention and massive fanbase growth sparked by the arrival of superstar Caitlin Clark.
With everything she has accomplished, she definitely has a place in the Indiana Fever history that will not be forgotten easily.