INDIANAPOLIS — Last fall, over drinks, Mel Raines and Kelly Krauskopf began discussing the future of the Indiana Fever. Raines, the CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, sought insight from Krauskopf, the very architect of the Fever, who led the franchise as president and GM from 2000 to 2018.
Krauskopf had left the women’s game for a role in the Pacers’ front office, and since her departure, Allison Barber had served as Fever president before stepping down to lead the Marvella Foundation. General manager Lin Dunn was also looking to step back. As Raines and Krauskopf brainstormed the qualities needed in a new leader, Raines had a realization.
“She just lit up,” Raines recalled. “So I just blurted out, ‘Do you want this job?’”
Krauskopf was surprised, but as she thought it over, she realized the timing was right. With decades of experience across the WNBA and NBA, Krauskopf was the perfect person to lead the Fever back into contention.
“We recruited her,” Dunn said. “It was time for her to come home.”
For Krauskopf, returning to the WNBA was more than just a career move, it was a calling. “This is my DNA,” said the 63-year-old. “I knew I had more to give.”
Krauskopf had been a trailblazer. A Texas native and former college player, she had experienced firsthand the inequities in women’s sports. Her passion to change that drove her career from the Southwest Conference to the WNBA league office, and eventually to Indianapolis, where she helped launch the Fever.
In 2000, Donnie Walsh, then Pacers president, trusted Krauskopf to build the WNBA team from scratch. She made savvy moves early, including drafting Tamika Catchings in 2001 despite a torn ACL a decision that led to a Hall of Fame career. Under Krauskopf, the Fever became a powerhouse, reaching the playoffs 13 times in 18 years and winning the 2012 WNBA title.
But by 2018, Krauskopf needed a new challenge. She transitioned to the Pacers’ front office as assistant GM, where she adapted to the complexities of the NBA. Yet her love for building culture and evaluating players with high character never left.
Six years later, the pull to return to women’s basketball and the Fever was too strong to ignore. She rejoined the franchise as president and reunited with Stephanie White, the first player Krauskopf ever signed, who was now named head coach.
White, once a Fever star and championship assistant, called Krauskopf “the best architect in the WNBA.” Together, with GM Amber Cox, they built a promising roster: re-signing Kelsey Mitchell, and adding DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Howard in free agency.
The front office also had Caitlin Clark and 2023 No. 1 pick Aliyah Boston as its foundation two rising stars with immense potential. But challenges emerged: Bonner didn’t fit and was waived; Clark has battled multiple injuries; Cunningham’s season was delayed by ankle issues.
Still, Krauskopf sees promise in this new era.
She believes continuity, culture, and core values will guide the rebuild. “You have to have some bad years to land back-to-back No. 1s,” she said. “Now it’s about setting the foundation and building around these two cornerstone players.”
After all she’s done from starting the Fever to winning a title, Krauskopf’s story is coming full circle. And this time, she’s determined to take the Fever even higher.
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