The Indiana Fever announced plans to build a new state-of-the-art performance center set to open in 2027. The facility, costing $78 million, will span 108,000 square feet and be located near Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
If ever there were a more stark demonstration of what star player Caitlin Clark means to this franchise, we don’t know if you’ll find it.
“For us this represents another level of commitment and ensuring that our players have the highest level of resources to compete,” Fever president Kelly Krauskopf said in a press release.
“This is an opportunity to showcase our investment in women and women’s sports. We’ve outgrown our current space; we know the footprint of the league is going to grow and we want to stay relevant and ahead of the curve.”
The spending is a little startling considering that, with all the revenue and interest generated by Clark’s presence in the WNBA this past season, the Fever still only raked in $9.1 million in revenue. That amount is expected to rise next season but, whew – $78 million on a practice facility?
The franchise is valued at $90 million overall.
Indiana Fever Rebranding
This is yet another move by Indiana Fever president Kelly Karuskopf that shows she is following through on her promise to ‘rebrand’ the team. Is she tinkering too much with a team that made the playoffs last season and is clearly on the upswing?
Krauskopf has been making widespread changes to the franchise. This past October, she announced a plan to use Caitlin Clark as a starting point to rebrand the team in the same mold as Apple. Whatever that means.
She then rewarded former head coach Christie Sides, who helped guide Clark and the Fever back to the playoffs after a long drought by unceremoniously dumping her. Stephanie White was hired in her place.
The team will almost certainly have to go further than a first-round exit in the playoffs to justify that move. Perhaps it doesn’t matter as long as they have Clark.
Clark is a transcendent, once-in-a-generation talent who not only delivers on the hardwood but has literally transformed the local economy in Indianapolis to the tune of over $36 million.
The Connecticut Sun’s Embarrassing Practice Facility
On one end, the Indiana Fever gives their players a $78 million state-of-the-art dedicated practice facility. On the other hand, you have the Connecticut Sun, who had to share a gym with a 2-year-old’s birthday party while they prepared for a playoff game.
A game against Indiana, no less.
Sun forward Alyssa Thomas, when she spoke to The Next Hoops, at the time, was not pleased.
“We’re [a] professional team. We’re competing for playoffs. And yeah, to have to share your court with a two-year-old[‘s] birthday party, [it’s the] ultimate disrespect.”
“We need more, we need better to compete at the highest level,” she added.
Maybe she should sign with Indiana.
The Sun practices at the Mohegan Tribe’s gym inside the Community Center and Government Building.
Sports Illustrated reports that the team has “been forced to split gym time with community pick-up games, events, and workout classes over the years.”
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever are going to be training on the latest and greatest equipment, like Ivan Drago from Rocky IV, while other teams have to stare at soccer moms doing yoga while they practice.
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