INDIANAPOLIS -- General manager Amber Cox defended the Indiana Fever fanbase during her exit interview session with media Saturday morning, saying, "attacks on our fanbase have no basis in reality."
There has been criticism about Fever fans and their interactions with opposing players, and the topic arose again in Game 2 of the playoffs when A'ja Wilson had a confrontation with a fan sitting behind the baseline. Wilson crossed the baseline to admonish the fan who had stood and pointed at her and had some words for the four-time MVP. Wilson received a technical and the fan was escorted out of the arena bowl, but was allowed to return. Arena security said there was no violation of the Fan Code of Conduct.
"The attacks on our fan base have no basis in reality, and they need to stop," Cox said, "especially with members of the media. ... I'm talking about media who have never been to a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Every organization in the league, every organization throughout professional sports, all the way down to youth rec leagues, have to deal with occasional bad behavior from spectators. And anyone who crosses the line in an arena or online needs to be held accountable. Like I want to be really clear about that. There is a line, and people need to be held accountable if they cross it.
"But here's the fact: we did not have one fan pointed out by a player who violated the WNBA code of conduct this season. Not one fan was removed from a game. ... Our fans love this team. They're going to cheer, they're going to boo, and sometimes they might point. It's a home-court advantage for a reason, and it's the same for the Pacers. And all of that is within the code of conduct."
Wilson said the man was taking steps toward her and pointing at her, and that was "unacceptable." After Game 3, Wilson said she has her "moments" and that she's human and just wanted to move on from the incident. On Aug. 6, two fans were escorted from their Gainbridge Fieldhouse courtside seats during a game against the Aces after Jackie Young complained to an official that they'd been "chirping" at her all game. They were not ejected and it was determined that they had not violated the Fan Code of Conduct.
Former Fever player Brianna Turner, now a member of the Aces, disputed Cox's sentiments on social media.
"This is an unequivocally false statement," wrote Turner, who serves as treasurer of the WNBPA. "Players inside and outside the organization have repeatedly issued complaints with the Fever fanbase. While it's not all Indy fans, it's certainly a trend. To say the attacks have 'no basis in reality' is disingenuous."
Kelsey Mitchell, who set the single-season WNBA scoring record and the 3-point field goals record this season, will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. She said playing in Indiana can be difficult at times due to the interaction with some fans.
"I don't think people really understand how much we endure, man," Mitchell said. "Like, if I showed y'all my DMs about the hate and all of the stuff that comes with being a professional athlete, but specifically being an Indiana Fever basketball player, it's a lot that goes into that. And those days are hard as hell, man.
"Playing with [Caitlin Clark] and having the eyes that she's got [on her], we get a lot of flak just from being on her team. I think that that comes with a lot, too. And I just think that people [have] got to give us grace. I think this organization is unbelievable, man. But I think that when it comes to, like, really trying to be yourself, it hasn't always been easy. That's all I'll say, you know."
Cox was asked why she felt it was important to deliver the written statement?
"I think there have been, obviously, during our playoff series, some narratives around our fanbase that just, frankly, are not true," Cox said. "And I thought it was important to say that no one has ever violated that fan code of conduct. We take it very seriously. We understand that there is a line. People are held accountable if they cross it, and they should be.
"But we have a great fan base. Night in and night out, I walk out and there's 17,000 people cheering us on, and they're spending hard-earned money to come here. There are little kids, boys and girls, who are being inspired by our team and by our league. So, to be characterized in such a broad stroke is just not fair."