image via Athlon Sports
Kelly Krauskopf is stepping down as president of the Indiana Fever, bringing an extraordinary chapter in her basketball career to a close after nearly three decades with Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E).
The Fever announced the news Friday, Oct. 23, recognizing Krauskopf’s contributions to building the franchise from its inception, delivering its first WNBA championship and helping create opportunities for women throughout professional basketball.
Krauskopf’s departure marks a significant moment for an organization that has experienced a remarkable transformation throughout its history, with her leadership playing a central role in establishing Indiana as one of the WNBA’s most respected franchises.
Building the Indiana Fever From the Ground Up
Krauskopf joined PS&E in 1999 to help establish the Fever ahead of the franchise’s inaugural 2000 season. She became the driving force behind the organization’s basketball operations, helping construct a team that developed into a consistent postseason contender.
Under her leadership, Indiana established a remarkable run of success, reaching the playoffs for 12 consecutive seasons from 2005 through 2016. The franchise also made three WNBA Finals appearances and captured its first championship in 2012.
That championship run represented the culmination of years of roster construction, organizational development and a commitment to building a winning culture.
The Fever’s 2012 championship team featured franchise cornerstone Tamika Catchings, who helped lead Indiana to the title and earned Finals MVP honors. Krauskopf’s work assembling and developing the organization helped lay the foundation for one of the most memorable periods in franchise history.
A Pioneer for Women in Basketball
Krauskopf’s influence extends well beyond Indianapolis.
Before building the Fever, she served as the WNBA’s first director of basketball operations when the league launched in 1996. Her career also included a groundbreaking move to the Indiana Pacers, where she became the first woman in NBA history to hold an executive basketball management role.
She served as an assistant general manager with the Pacers from 2018 to 2024 before returning to the Fever in 2024 as president of basketball and business operations.
Her career reflects the evolution of women’s basketball and the increasing opportunities for women to hold influential leadership positions across the sport.
Krauskopf helped demonstrate that building a successful professional basketball franchise requires more than identifying talent. It demands strategic planning, strong organizational leadership and the ability to create a sustainable culture of winning.
Returning to Lead the Fever During a New Era
Krauskopf’s return to Indiana in 2024 came during a pivotal period for the WNBA, as growing national attention and the arrival of generational talent helped accelerate interest in women’s basketball.
Her experience building the original Fever championship team positioned her to help guide the franchise through its next phase.
That next chapter included the continued development of a team featuring stars such as Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, alongside the challenge of building a roster capable of competing for championships.
Now, with Krauskopf stepping down, the organization faces another transition as it continues working to sustain its place among the WNBA’s leading franchises.
Her departure also closes a remarkable professional journey that included building a team from scratch, helping deliver a championship and breaking barriers in NBA front-office leadership.
A Legacy That Extends Beyond Championships
Championships are an important measure of success in professional sports, but Krauskopf’s impact reaches further.
She helped establish the Fever as a recognizable basketball brand, developed a sustained winning organization and opened doors for women seeking leadership opportunities in professional basketball.
Her influence will remain part of Indiana’s identity long after her departure from the president’s office.
For the Fever, the next chapter will be about carrying that foundation forward. For the broader basketball community, Krauskopf’s career stands as an example of what visionary leadership and perseverance can accomplish in a growing professional league.
Kelly Krauskopf helped build the Indiana Fever into a championship organization. Her legacy will be measured not only by the title she helped deliver, but also by the doors she opened for the next generation of women in basketball.
Source: Indiana Fever’s official announcement | Indiana Pacers’ historical profile of Krauskopf
