The president of the Indiana Fever finds herself in hot water following her perceived comments about Caitlin Clark’s impact on the WNBA team, ultimately forcing her to delete her social media account.
Kelly Krauskopf is under fire after appearing dismissive of the 23-year-old guard at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, as she stressed her focus is on long-term franchise goals and likened turning the team into a powerhouse such as Apple.
“We want to sustain the growth and the interest level in the franchise,” Krauskopf told reporters. “I mean this is about the Indiana Fever.
“Yes, we have foundational players in Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston… But I want this team to be a leader in the country, and an enduring brand… like Apple or something.”
Instead, this triggered widespread criticism and led to her sudden disappearance from the social media platform X.com, formerly known as Twitter until Elon Musk changed the name in 2023.
The analogy, especially the offhand “Apple or something” phrasing, immediately drew sharp reactions from fans as many interpreted the comment as downplaying Clark’s significance.
One social media user responded, “Enduring brands lean into their visionary. Apple became a global icon by making Steve Jobs both its visionary and its star.”
A second said,” 95% of your brand is Caitlin Clark.”
And a third noted, “They are fumbling this opportunity so hard. I think CC goes overseas and becomes the global superstar she could be if things don’t shift by the end of her contract.”
The backlash was swift and intense, and by the end of the day, Krauskopf’s account had been deleted without comment. Fans noted the move as an apparent attempt to retreat from the mounting criticism, and it’s unclear if the account is inactive or actually gone.
Tina Charles opens up on Caitlin Clark clash
Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, has already become a central figure in the league’s national profile. Her presence has driven ticket sales, boosted television ratings, and drawn new fans to the sport.
However, her transition to the professional game has not been without challenges as she becomes subject of repeated physical play by opponents, most notably during a heated game against the Connecticut Sun on June 17.
In that matchup, she was poked in the eye by Sun rookie Jacy Sheldon, leading to a tense confrontation when Marina Mabrey later shoved Clark to the ground, and WNBA legend Tina Charles also became entangled in the moment.
“What’s crazy,” Charles recalled to Bird’s Eye View. “Is that everybody’s like, ‘Yo, you punched [Clark] in the back.’
“And I’m like, ‘Nah.’ I was just like, ‘Yo, you got it… Yo, chill out. Watch yourself. Just watch yourself.’
“I’m still like, talking my s**, like, ‘Yeah yeah yeah. Just chill out. Chill out… Everybody was like, ‘Yo, you took [Clark] back to Southside Jamaica, Queens.'”
While Charles may have meant the comments in jest, many Fever supporters were left unsettled by her tone, especially considering how vulnerable Clark has appeared in physically intense games.
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