Kelly Krauskopf, the longtime Indiana Fever executive who six years ago left to become an assistant general manager with the Pacers, is returning to lead the WNBA franchise.
Krauskopf will return as both Fever president of basketball and business operations following the end of the 2024 season, the organization announced Monday, Sept. 23. She will replace Dr. Allison Barber, who announced she would step down as president and COO after six seasons.
“The WNBA and the Fever have always been a part of me, and it is truly a privilege to be asked to return to lead this team at this unprecedented time of the growth in women's basketball,” Krauskopf said in a statement. “I want to thank Kevin Pritchard for asking me to join his management staff six years ago. There's no doubt that experience will serve me well as I enter this next chapter.”
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Krauskopf's basketball career spans more than 35 years at the collegiate, WNBA, NBA and Olympic levels. She was named the WNBA's first director of basketball operations in 1996. In 2000, she joined the Fever before their first year. During her tenure with the Fever, the team made the postseason 13 times and played in three WNBA Finals in a seven-year span, including winning the 2012 WNBA Championship.
“Kelly’s entire career has been about stepping into critical roles and providing unparalleled leadership, and I am incredibly excited to have her lead the Fever through this historic moment for the franchise and the sport,” Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO Mel Raines said in a statement. “She laid the foundation for the success we are enjoying and is a true trailblazer for the sport, and there is no one better equipped to lead us into this exciting new chapter.”
In 2018, Krauskopf joined the Pacers as assistant general manager, becoming the first woman to serve in an NBA basketball leadership role.
“Kelly has long been a trend-setter and trailblazer, and we could not be more excited for her as she returns to lead the Fever into a very bright future,” Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard said. “During her time with us, she was a key part of our front office and was integral in helping build the roster that reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season. As she leaves to write a new chapter in her already successful career, we are grateful for her contributions to the Pacers and wish her the best!”
Krauskopf, a former college basketball player at Stephen F. Austin and Texas A&M, previously served as an assistant athletic trainer at the latter and was an assistant commissioner for the Southwest Conference. She was a member of the Women's Senior Basketball Team Committee for the 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games.
The Fever said they will have a press conference at the end of the season to formally introduce Krauskopf.
