Indiana Fever President/COO Allison Barber leaving post at conclusion of 2024 season
Indiana Fever President/COO Allison Barber leaving post at conclusion of 2024 season
Allison Barber led the Indiana Fever's business operations for the past six seasons. The 2024 season, however, will be her last.
Indiana Fever president and chief operating officer Allison Barber is stepping down from her role at the conclusion of the season.
The team also announced on Wednesday that Barber is set to lead the development of the Marvella Project, a new effort to empower girls and women in Indiana through sports.
“Allison has been a tremendous leader for the Indiana Fever over the last six seasons,” said Mel Raines, CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment. “We are grateful for her dedication and look forward to watching the positive impact she will continue to have during her next.”
The Schererville, Ind. native replaced Kelly Krauskopf in 2019 after she left to become assistant general manager of the Pacers. Barber handled the business side of the team while GM Lin Dunn, is in charge of basketball operations.
Barber was at morning shootaround on Wednesday and hugged players as they stepped onto the court (like Caitlin Clark in the photo above).
“Allison's done so much,” head coach Christie Sides said after shootaround. “I was with her as an assistant (coach). It was right when she came in and then she and I built a relationship.
“And then to come back and to work for her for these last couple years, she's that person that if you need anything, you give her a call and she finds a way to get it done. I'm really happy for her and what she's going to do. She is a powerful woman who empowers other women and girls. And that's what she's going to do with her new journey.”
Barber came to the franchise in 2019 after serving as president of Western Governors University (WGU) Advancement, the non-profit fundraising arm of WGU Indiana, and Chancellor of WGU Indiana.
And she has served in her current role for the past six seasons. That includes helping the team through its most trying times, when wins were rare and fan interest was low.
It was helping them navigate through Covid-19, the WNBA bubble, three years of renovations that forced them to play home games elsewhere, several coaching changes, and more.
Just yesterday, she helped host Condoleezza Rice to town for several speaking engagements — highlighted by being the keynote speaker at the Richard Lugar monument unveiling.
Team staffers were informed of the news Tuesday. Notably, both the Atlanta Dream and Chicago Sky lost that night, which led to the Fever clinching their first playoff berth since 2016 — since being led by Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings.
And now, thanks to rookie guard Caitlin Clark, business is booming. Record ticket sales, attendance, fan engagement, social media views, merchandise sales — you name it, it’s a record.
Because this league has never seen the level of interest that Clark has brought to it.
The Fever have seven regular-season games remaining, including six straight at home, before the playoffs.