Kelly Krauskopf Compares Indiana Fever to Apple, But Caitlin Clark Fans Say She’s Missing the Point — And Then She Vanished From Social Media

By [Your Name] | August 7, 2025

You don’t compare your struggling WNBA team to Apple when your fans are desperately refreshing the App Store, hoping for an iPhone called Caitlin Clark.

Yet that’s exactly what Indiana Fever president Kelly Krauskopf did — and the internet erupted.

In a week filled with rough games, press conference missteps, and increasing pressure on the Fever’s front office, Krauskopf made headlines for all the wrong reasons. And now, in a move that has fans speculating wildly, she has deleted her X (formerly Twitter) account entirely — without warning or explanation.

The Comment That Sparked a Firestorm

In a press conference earlier this week, Krauskopf attempted to put the spotlight on Indiana Fever’s long-term goals — not just its breakout stars.

“We want to build sustained growth and interest in the brand,” she said.
“This is about the Indiana Fever. Yes, we have cornerstone players like Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston… but we want to be a top-tier franchise across the country, a sustainable brand — like Apple or something.”

That phrase — “like Apple or something” — quickly became the spark that ignited the outrage.

Fans Weren’t Having It

The backlash was swift and brutal. Fans online wasted no time dissecting every word of her statement — especially the way it seemed to minimize Clark’s impact on the team’s visibility, ticket sales, media presence, and overall brand value.

One viral post read:

“95% of your ‘brand’ is Caitlin Clark.”

Another user responded:

“Apple became a global empire by making Steve Jobs the visionary centerpiece of the brand. Indiana Fever is doing the opposite.”

And a third:

“They’re fumbling the bag. Caitlin will go overseas and become a global superstar if things don’t change by the time her rookie contract ends.”

Perhaps the most direct comment came from a longtime Fever fan:

“Kelly… 75% of your fanbase is here for Caitlin. The second she leaves Indy, so do my ticket purchases. She is the brand right now. Build around her.”

Then… Silence

Within 24 hours of the backlash reaching critical mass, Krauskopf’s X profile disappeared. No final post. No public statement. Just a broken link and a 404 error where her account used to be.

Fans noticed immediately. The phrase “She deleted?” trended locally in Indiana for several hours. Speculation ran wild:

Was she forced to step away from social media by the Fever PR team?

Was the backlash from Clark’s fanbase worse than expected?

Did someone from Clark’s camp express private frustration behind closed doors?

No one knows — but the optics don’t look great.

A PR Miss When the Spotlight Is Brightest

It’s not that Krauskopf’s long-term vision for the team is wrong — far from it. A sustainable franchise needs structure beyond one superstar. But the timing and tone of her remarks felt disconnected from the moment.

This is a generational window for the Fever, thanks entirely to Caitlin Clark’s presence. She’s not just a player; she’s a cultural force, the face of the WNBA, and the biggest ticket-seller the league has ever seen.

Trying to redirect the spotlight away from her, even in the name of “branding strategy,” reads as tone-deaf — and possibly self-sabotaging.

Meanwhile, on the Court… A Much-Needed Win

Ironically, the team responded to the chaos with one of their best games in weeks.

On Friday night, the Indiana Fever defeated the Atlanta Dream 91–83 in a hard-fought battle at home. Veteran Kelsey Mitchell led the charge with 25 points, Aliyah Boston added 19, and Caitlin Clark chipped in with 12 points and 9 assists.

The win brings the Fever to a .500 record at 10–10 — a notable improvement over last season and a testament to the talent Clark and Boston have brought to the court.

But no matter the scoreboard, the noise off the court is growing louder.

What Caitlin Clark Represents

This isn’t just about basketball. It’s about generational marketing, cultural visibility, and brand leverage.

Caitlin Clark has sold out arenas, driven record-breaking TV ratings, and put WNBA merchandise in every sporting goods store across the country. She’s brought in new fans — especially younger ones — in droves. Brands are falling over themselves to sign her. The WNBA 2K26 cover, the Gatorade deal, the Nike billboard in Times Square — they’re all proof of her cultural firepower.

Trying to package that momentum as “just part of the brand” rather than the centerpiece of the brand isn’t just inaccurate — it’s risky.

A Missed Moment, or a Wake-Up Call?

The Fever organization has a decision to make. Either lean fully into the Clark Era — build the roster, the fanbase, and the content around her — or risk losing it all when her rookie contract ends.

Because as several fans pointed out: Clark doesn’t need the Fever. The Fever needs her.

And if she ever decides to test the overseas market — especially with her growing international fanbase — Indiana’s window could slam shut as quickly as it opened.

What Happens Next?

At the time of writing, Kelly Krauskopf has made no public statements. Her X account remains deleted. The Fever organization has also declined to comment.

Insiders suggest a PR reset may be coming — perhaps a coordinated media moment featuring Clark, Boston, and Krauskopf to restore unity and refocus attention on the team’s recent improvements.

Whether fans will accept it, however, is another question.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Fumble Caitlin Clark

This should’ve been a slam dunk.

A generational player arrives in your city. She boosts attendance, viewership, and relevance overnight. She even brings national media coverage to every game, every practice, every press conference.

Your job as an executive?

Hold on tight, amplify the moment, and don’t try to center anything else.

But somehow, in a matter of weeks, a front office managed to undercut its own momentum — not on the scoreboard, but in the press room.

If anything, fans aren’t mad just because of what was said. They’re mad because they know what this could be… and fear it’s being wasted.

Bottom Line

Kelly Krauskopf compared the Fever to Apple, downplayed Caitlin Clark’s central role.

Fans erupted in frustration, saying the franchise was missing the moment.

Krauskopf deleted her social media without comment.

The Fever won a big game — but the off-court drama is far from over.

And as one fan posted:

“You don’t try to build Apple without Steve Jobs. Don’t build the Fever without Caitlin Clark.