Indiana Fever’s newly appointed head coach, Stephanie White, wasted no time setting ambitious goals for the team, particularly for Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark. White, returning to the Fever after previous stints as head coach and assistant, made her priorities clear: “Competing for championships.”
White steps in after the Fever’s playoff run ended prematurely in the first round against her former team, the Connecticut Sun. The disappointing finish led to the dismissal of Christie Sides, who faced criticism for failing to maximize Clark’s immense potential. White’s return is seen as an opportunity to rejuvenate the franchise and establish a championship culture centered around Clark and other key players.
During an interview with *The Fan – Indianapolis*, White emphasized her championship vision. “The expectation was always to be competing for championships,” she said. “Now we have an opportunity again to be doing that.” However, White acknowledged that building a title-contending team will take time and consistent effort. She highlighted Clark as a “generational talent” and praised teammate Aliyah Boston, predicting she could become one of the greatest centers in WNBA history. “You think about building around those two,” White added, “championships is the expectation.”
White’s return coincides with a surge in WNBA popularity, driven in part by Clark’s rising star. Legendary player Sue Bird credited Clark for amplifying the league’s growth. Speaking on *The Deal* podcast, Bird remarked, “The fire was there, but Caitlin came and poured gasoline all over it, taking it to another level.”
The league’s momentum is reflected in record-breaking statistics for the 2023 season. The WNBA garnered over 54 million unique viewers across networks like ABC, CBS, and ESPN, with 22 regular-season games averaging more than one million viewers each. In total, the league amassed an unprecedented 136.29 million viewing hours during the season. Ticket sales also reached new heights, reinforcing the league’s upward trajectory.
White’s championship vision, combined with Clark and Boston’s talent, positions the Fever as a potential powerhouse in the WNBA. With increased league interest and star players drawing attention, the Fever’s pursuit of titles under White’s leadership could further elevate the team and the league as a whole.
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