Stephanie White Reacts to Indiana Fever Development Before Chicago Sky Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Sep 4, 2025 11:12 AM ET

The Indiana Fever (21-20) have three games left in the regular season, entering their most crucial stretch yet as they fight to secure a top-eight seed and return to the WNBA playoffs for the second straight year.

On Friday, they’re set to host the Chicago Sky (10-30), but before that matchup, an exciting development captured the attention of the entire franchise.

With the full team in attendance, the Fever broke ground Thursday on their new practice facility, the Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center. Demolition is complete, and construction on the three-story complex is now officially underway.

Fever head coach Stephanie White, who also played for the franchise from 2000–2004, reflected on the moment and the significance of the team finally having a facility to call its own.

“As somebody that wore the Fever jersey…this is something we dreamed about from day one," White said. "I can’t wait for these players to get to walk into a building that’s built specifically for them.”

“As somebody that wore the Fever jersey…this is something we dreamed about from day one…I can’t wait for these players to get to walk into a building that’s built specifically for them.”

-Stephanie White on groundbreaking of Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center. pic.twitter.com/kcDjDBG2O6
— Pat Boylan Fever/Pacers (@PatBoylanPacers) September 4, 2025

The Fever’s franchise — and the WNBA as a whole — has grown exponentially over the past two seasons, with much of the surge tied to Indiana’s star point guard Caitlin Clark.

While Clark isn’t the sole reason for the league’s rise, she has been at the forefront of the spotlight, drawing unprecedented attention to women’s basketball. That visibility has helped pave the way for new practice facilities, major organizational upgrades, and increased investment in the sport.

The WNBA recently shattered its single-season attendance record and has seen a dramatic surge in viewership and sponsorships. A recent market report even revealed that it is the fastest-growing brand in professional sports since last year.

League-wide growth has also fueled soaring valuations. In 2019, the average WNBA team was worth about $10 million — a figure that has since skyrocketed to $100 million in 2024. Expansion is also on the horizon, with several new franchises expected to debut in major markets over the next few years.

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

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