Stephanie White Sets High Expectations for Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever
New Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White has made her ambitions clear, emphasizing lofty goals for Caitlin Clark and the team as she reassumes leadership. After a playoff elimination in the first round by White’s former team, the Connecticut Sun, the Fever parted ways with head coach Christie Sides, creating an opening for White’s return.
Sides faced criticism for underutilizing Clark, the reigning Rookie of the Year, making White’s relationship with the young star pivotal for the Fever’s success. White, 47, has openly declared her intention to lead the team to championship glory.
White’s return comes as interest in the WNBA soars, bolstered significantly by Clark’s rising prominence. Basketball legend Sue Bird highlighted Clark’s impact during an episode of *The Deal* podcast, pointing to the league’s record-breaking viewership. “Caitlin poured gasoline on an already growing fire,” Bird remarked, attributing the WNBA’s recent success in part to Clark’s star power.
Statistics back up Bird’s claims, with the 2023 season achieving unprecedented milestones. The WNBA attracted over 54 million unique viewers across networks like ABC, CBS, and ESPN. Additionally, 22 regular-season games averaged over a million viewers, contributing to a total of 136.29 million hours of national coverage — marking the league’s most successful season in its history.
