Fever Coach Stephanie White Hates What’s Happening With Caitlin Clark

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated Oct 3, 2025 4:38 PM ET

Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White had the unenviable task of guiding the team without star guard Caitlin Clark for much of the season, as her last appearance was on July 15 due to a groin injury. However, White still led the Fever to within one game of the WNBA Finals.

Indiana finished the regular season 24-20, earning the No. 6 seed thanks in large part to guard Kelsey Mitchell (20.2 points per game) and forward Aliyah Boston (15 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.9 blocks per game). It then beat the Atlanta Dream in the best-of-three First Round series before falling to the Las Vegas Aces in five games during the best-of-five WNBA Semifinals.

Now, White has time to step back and reflect on the season. The former WNBA Coach of the Year did just that when she spoke on Clark's involvement in the recent discussions about the league's collective bargaining agreement, via 107.5 the Fan.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) chats with coach Stephanie White.Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

"I hate it all for Caitlin. I feel like she's a 23-year-old kid who loves to play this game, who is a pawn in a lot of other people's games and narratives, and I hate that for her," she said. "We're coming into a time in the WNBA where we're kind of part of the growing pains of becoming a part of mainstream professional sports, which is some of this stuff."

Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier publicly said on Tuesday that WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert told her Clark should "be grateful" despite not getting a pay raise for her role in the league's growth, via ESPN's Malika Andrews. Engelbert argued that it's enough to give the all-time NCAA Division I scoring leader a platform to utilize for endorsements.

Clark later supported Collier for speaking out, via ESPN's Alexa Phillipou

https://www.youtube.com/live/nzYrHM_Mf-8

WNBA Faces Possible Lockout

Clark's pay is one of several topics Collier brought up as the Oct. 31 deadline approaches for the WNBA Player's Association and league to agree on a new collective bargaining agreement. If the two sides don't make a new deal by then, there will be a lockout.

Clark's four-year $338,056 rookie deal is tied for the 20th-highest valued contract in the WNBA, via Spotrac. However, the two-time All-Star has driven historic TV ratings for the league since her arrival, according to Front Office Sports.

Conversely, Clark makes millions from endorsements with companies like Nike, State Farm, and Gatorade, via The Athletic. Still, Collier wants young stars like Clark to get paid by their teams relative to their value in the WNBA.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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