The WNBA’s Caitlin Clark effect brought about many positive changes during the recent season, but is now causing issues for WNBA coaches.
After leading the Connecticut Sun to a 28-12 season and a playoff series win over Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever, head coach Stephanie White was let go on Monday. This move came shortly after the Fever also fired their head coach, Christie Sides.
Sides was fired as the new front office in Indiana wanted to fully utilize Caitlin Clark’s impact on and off the court. Currently, seven WNBA teams are in need of a new head coach in what is expected to be a significant offseason for the league.
Reportedly, Stephanie White, the 2023 WNBA Coach of the Year and former Indiana assistant coach, is interested in returning to the Fever as their new head coach.
Kelly Krauskopf, the Fever’s President of basketball and business operations, thanked Coach Sides for her work during the transition period in a statement announcing her departure.
The blame for the recent wave of firings falls on the Caitlin Clark effect. The young basketball phenomenon garnered record attention and attendance for the WNBA, winning the Rookie of the Year Award and All-WNBA honors, thus raising expectations across the league.
As franchises aim to capitalize on the increased attention and revenue, teams like Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Washington, and Los Angeles are also in search of a new head coach. Additionally, the WNBA player’s union is renegotiating its collective bargaining agreement to include the influx of new revenue from a $2 billion media rights deal kicking in next year.
Despite leading the Fever to a playoff spot, Christie Sides was let go after a 33-46 record in two seasons with the team. The team felt a change was necessary after being swept in the first round of the playoffs by Connecticut, even as Sides rallied the team from a 0-5 start this season.
Recent changes within the Fever organization include the return of Kelly Krauskopf as President and the appointment of Amber Cox as COO and GM, with Lin Dunn transitioning to a senior advisory role. Sides was not part of their long-term plans.
Stephanie White, who previously coached the Fever and enjoyed success with the Sun, is reportedly interested in returning to Indiana due to the young talent on the team.
In uncertain times for the WNBA, Sun team president Jen Rizzotti is looking for a leader to guide the team into the future amid potential roster turnovers and the league’s growing popularity.
