But when the Indiana Fever’s new general manager publicly expressed his controversial views on her, many were skeptical. “Caitlin Clark will be a game-changer not only for the Indiana Fever but for the WNBA,” he said. “With her aggressive style of play and her ability to turn things around from game to game, she’s a big player. But there’s no denying that her popularity is a double-edged sword and people will be looking to her to handle that pressure.” “These revelations immediately sparked controversy, with many finding the statement not only inflammatory but disrespectful to Clark’s talent.”

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark changed the WNBA in her rookie season. While the league has seen some positive momentum in recent years, Clark has taken it to a new level.

Already a household name from his historic college career at Iowa, Clark exploded into stardom during his historic rookie campaign. Breaking multiple league records, Clark averaged 19.2 points, 8.4 assists and 5.7 rebounds en route to a fourth-place MVP award.

The entire WNBA has benefited from Clark’s popularity, but the impact on Indiana has been particularly significant. On Monday, Indiana made the big announcement that former general manager Kelly Krauskopf would return to the organization as the Fever’s President of Basketball and Business Operations.

Krauskopf was an assistant general manager for the Indiana Pacers, and while her desire to return to the Fever may not be directly related to what Clark helped create, the executive is a known fan of the star rookie.

In a post on X, @CClarkReport reshared two of Krauskopf’s posts to show her support for Clark.

These two posts aren’t the only times Krauskopf has publicly expressed her opinion of Clark.

After the 2024 Iowa vs. South Carolina Women’s Basketball Championship Finals attracted more viewers than the Men’s Basketball Championship Finals, Krauskopf co-signed a post crediting Clark for that growth.

Krauskopf also sent a shout-out to Clark after the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer was selected first overall by Indiana in the 2024 WNBA draft.

“Welcome to Indy @CaitlinClark22, the heart of basketball,” Krauskopf wrote on X. “You’re going to love this team, this city, and this fanbase. Your best days are ahead of you! Go @IndianaFever!”

Krauskopf returns to an organization that is in a much better place on and off the court since joining Clark. As her social media posts show, Krauskopf is a big fan of Indiana’s star point guard.

Krauskopf is expected to begin her new role at the end of the 2024 season.

She’s the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft and back-to-back National Player of the Year. She and the Fever are helping to sell out opposing venues, having teams move to bigger arenas and setting TV records.

All of that puts a target on her back.

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Clark was expecting a more physical game when she transitioned to the WNBA. In some cases, though, Clark has been the subject of what could be flagrant fouls.

An instance in Indiana’s win over Chicago on Saturday is a prime example: Sky guard Chennedy Carter and Clark exchanged words following a Fever possession when Clark got a rebound over her. After Carter made a midrange shot on the next possession, she went to guard Clark on the inbound and shoulder-checked the Fever rookie to the ground.

“I wasn’t expecting that,” Clark said. “But it’s just, ‘Respond, calm down and let your play do the talking.’ It is what it is.”

Despite Fever players’ call for a review, Carter was not assessed a technical or flagrant foul. She was charged with an away-from-the-ball common foul, which resulted in one free throw for the Fever and possession. Clark made that free throw, and the Fever ended up winning by one point, 71-70.

“It is what it is,” Clark said. “I feel like I’m just at the point where I accept it, like, just let them hit you, be what it is, don’t let them get inside your head, and know it’s coming. I think at this point, I know I’m gonna take a couple hard shots a game. And that’s what it is, I’m trying not to let it bother me.

“… Usually it’s the second person that gets caught if you retaliate or something,” she added. “So I’m just trying to stay in the game, and focus on my team, and focus on what’s important.”

Carter refused to answer questions about Clark when prompted postgame.

This is not the only instance of Clark not getting calls, and Saturday’s interaction was enough for Fever GM Lin Dunn, who posted on X to call it out.

“There’s a difference between tough defense and unnecessary — targeting actions!” Dunn posted. “It needs to stop! The league needs to ‘cleanup’ the crap! That’s NOT who this league is!!”

Clark has frequently went without getting calls, including one when Storm forward Ezi Magbegor blocked Clark’s shot so hard she hit her on the top of the head on May 22, leading Clark to fall to the ground in pain. Coach Christie Sides picked up a technical foul on May 30 in the Fever’s rematch against the Storm for arguing with officials about a non-call when Clark went through a lot of contact to shoot a layup.

Clark already has three technical fouls on the season — two for arguing with referees about calls and one for jawing with Storm guard Victoria Vivians. If she were to have retaliated against Carter, she may have gotten called for her third in three games and fourth overall. Once players get seven technical fouls in a season, they’re suspended without pay for one game.

While Clark is trying to avoid getting involved in these skirmishes, Sides is also hoping the league will start calling fouls she and her staff see being missed.

When asked about Clark continuously getting fouled hard and not getting the calls, Sides paused and quietly said, “I’m trying to not get fined,” before praising Clark’s demeanor.

“We’re just gonna keep sending these possessions to the league, these plays, and hopefully they’ll start taking a better look at some of the things that we see happening, or we think is happening,” Sides said.

“I’m just more happy that Caitlin handled it the way she did. It’s tough to keep getting hammered the way she does, and to not get rewarded with free throws or a foul call. She’s continuing to fight through that, and I appreciate that from her.”