Indiana Fever Under Scrutiny Following Allegations by Former Player Brianna Turner
The Indiana Fever are facing criticism after Brianna Turner, a former player, alleged that the organization dismissed a male staff member over sexual harassment claims during her tenure. She spoke out following Sophie Cunningham’s remarks on trans athletes.
Turner, a member of the Fever in 2025 and currently with the Las Vegas Aces, made her allegations public on X. This was after Cunningham expressed support for women’s sports being exclusive to biological females in an ESPN interview. Turner highlighted the importance of addressing organizational misconduct.
During the 2025 WNBA Playoffs, Turner, wearing number 11 for the Indiana Fever, competed against the Las Vegas Aces. Her tweet aimed at Cunningham stressed that organizations like the Fever pose a greater risk to sports than trans athletes.
Turner revealed that the Fever had indeed terminated a male employee for sexual harassment but advised players to stay silent about the incident. She ardently supported trans inclusion, citing former WNBA player Layshia Clarendon as a positive example. Turner stated, “To date, there’s been one out trans player in the league. They caused zero problems.”
Contrasting this with the behavior of the fired staff member, Turner pointed out that sexism, misogyny, homophobia, and racism are significant issues. She underscored the importance of addressing these challenges in sports organizations.
In response, the Indiana Fever released a statement affirming their commitment to a safe and professional workplace. “Protecting our players and employees and maintaining a respectful, professional workplace is our top priority,” they stated. The organization promised thorough investigation and action on such concerns but avoided commenting on individual cases.
As of Thursday, the WNBA had not announced plans to investigate Turner’s claims, leaving the situation unresolved. The wider discourse surrounding these issues continues to evolve within the sports community.