Sometimes trying to dream big can land you in hot water—especially when fans feel their favorite player is being overshadowed.
That’s exactly what happened to Indiana Fever president Kelly Krauskopf, whose recent comments about the franchise’s future stirred up a wave of criticism online.
Krauskopf’s Apple Analogy Doesn’t Land Well
In a recent press conference, Krauskopf made a bold comparison, saying she hoped to build the Indiana Fever into a brand “like Apple.”
Her goal, she explained, was to create something long-lasting and nationally admired.
“We want to sustain the growth and the interest level in the franchise,” she said.
“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.”
To Krauskopf, it was about ambition and vision.
But for many fans, it came off like she was downplaying Caitlin Clark’s huge role in making the Fever a hot topic this season.
Fans Fire Back, Defending Caitlin Clark
It didn’t take long for fans to voice their disapproval.
Social media lit up with frustration, and most of it centered on how Krauskopf’s comment seemed to gloss over Clark’s impact.
“Enduring brands lean into their visionary,” one user posted.
“Apple became a global icon by making Steve Jobs both its visionary and its star.”
Another wrote, “95% of your brand is Caitlin Clark.”
Many fans argued that Clark is the reason the Fever are seeing a surge in attention and ticket sales.
Some even warned that if the franchise doesn’t build around her, they could lose her altogether.
One person summed it up sharply: “The moment CC leaves Indy is the moment I quit buying Fever tickets.”
Krauskopf Deletes X Account Amid Fallout
By Friday night, the backlash had seemingly pushed Krauskopf to step back from social media altogether.
Her X (formerly Twitter) account was deleted, showing only an error message when users tried to access it.
For many, it looked like an attempt to dodge the noise following the criticism—but the online conversation was already well underway.
Fever Fight Back on the Court
While things off the court were tense, the Fever found a way to get back on track during their game against the Atlanta Dream.
They secured a solid win, bringing their season record to 10–10 and back to .500.
Kelsey Mitchell led the charge with 25 points and three assists.
Aliyah Boston added 19, and Sophie Cunningham delivered 16 points off the bench.
Caitlin Clark, though not in peak form, still contributed with 12 points, nine assists, and four rebounds.
A Rough Patch and a Star in Flux
It hasn’t been an easy stretch for Clark. Injuries and dips in performance have made for a bumpy ride recently.
Still, her presence on and off the court continues to drive the franchise’s relevance—and fans aren’t shy about reminding the front office of that.
Krauskopf’s vision for the Fever may be ambitious, but the message from fans is crystal clear: build around Caitlin Clark, or risk losing the momentum—and the fanbase—she’s brought with her.