Kelly Krauskopf steps down, Amber Cox fired as Fever begin search for GM

Indiana’s significant offseason begins with an overhaul at the top: Krauskopf is moving on after 27 years with PS&E, Cox is out after two seasons, and the Fever will conduct a national search for GM.

Kelly Krauskopf, Herb Simon, and the late Jim Morris at a ceremony where Finish Line became the as Fever’s official uniform sponsor in 2012.

It had mostly been quiet on the Indiana Fever front less than a month after their season ended with a first-round exit. But behind the scenes, things have been stewing.

There were exit interviews, follow-up conversations and many discussions after the team fell short again. They won 28 games and reached the postseason, but, as Caitlin Clark previously stated, it’s not to be celebrated; it’s an expectation.

It’s the standard.

The goal from before training camp was to win a WNBA Championship and they fell short.

The Fever announced in a 10 a.m. press release on Friday that Kelly Krauskopf, the original architect of the franchise, was stepping down from her post after being with Pacers Sports & Entertainment for 27 years — dating back to 1999, a year before the Fever's inaugural season.

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunities, relationships, and shared accomplishments that have shaped my time with this organization,” Krauskopf said in a statement.

“The Fever is poised for an exciting future, and I am proud to have helped lay the foundation for its continued growth and success. I will always cherish my time with Pacers Sports and Entertainment and the people who made it so meaningful.”

Then, more than eight hours later, the organization confirmed what many, including Fieldhouse Files, were reporting: Amber Cox, general manager and chief operating officer, was fired after two seasons.

“The organization will conduct a national search for the team’s next general manager,” the organization said.

The timing on all of this was not ideal. It was a classic Friday news dump, done when you hope the news gets lost in the weekend.

This day was supposed to belong to the Pacers, as All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton was excited to play in the home opener. It was a ‘gold out’ at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Excitement was building and a sellout crowd showed up to welcome back Haliburton.

It was also owner Herb Simon’s birthday.

The longest-tenured NBA owner turned 92 years old. But between this Fever front-office shakeup and the Pacers playing poorly Friday night, in a home loss to the Dallas Mavericks, it was not a good day.