Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White criticized online trolls during a pre-game press conference on Tuesday before playing the New York Liberty. White used her opening media session to blast haters and ill-wishers attempting to hijack the WNBA during a season marked by toxicity both in person and online.
The 2026 WNBA season has been clouded by controversies surrounding the LGBTQ+ community, especially the trans community, as well as issues with officiating, stan culture, league leadership, and the star power of top athletes. White said her comments were aimed at internet users rather than reporters present in the room.
"This isn't necessarily for those people that are in this room. This is more for an online community that's trying to create narratives that simply don't exist, trying to create a fabrication or distortion of who I am, of what I'm about," White said.
White emphasized player success, health, wellness, and safety as her top priorities. "Our players' success, our players' health and wellness, our players' safety is always a top priority for me. One of the things I pride myself on is my relationships with players," White said.
"For those who have anything to say about the play in the last game, I didn't see the play in real time," White said. "I went straight to a press conference. I thought the play got called right. Thankfully, Sophie's okay."
Tony East (@TonyREast) shared video of White's opening statement on August 11, 2026.
Reaction to Sophie Cunningham play
"Was it egregious? Absolutely. When you have a chance to watch that over and over and over on replay, you can see that. I didn't have that in real time," White said.
White rejected suggestions that she does not support her roster. "I take personally any suggestions that I don't 100% always have my players' back. I ride with them 10 toes down all the time. All the time. They know that," she added.
White expressed frustration that attention was not focused on on-court performance. "It's a shame that we can't have an opportunity to talk about what great basketball they're playing. Because they are f***ing playing," White said. "The reality is, with me, I will always lead with love. I will always lead with grace. I will always lead with humility, and I will always lead with integrity. Doesn't mean I'll always get it right. I'm also human."
Defending the WNBA and team unity
"The hate, the fearmongering, the divisiveness, the stuff that's trying to hijack our league will not win," White said, pounding her fist on the table for the final three words. "It won't win. We are united. We are connected. We will not be divided."
She praised the daily commitment of her players. "Every day these women put their ass on the line. Every day," White said. "When they go low, we go high. Love will win. Grace will win. Humility will win. And kindness will win."
"I stand by them. I will always stand by them. Everybody else can go to hell," White concluded, before picking up her notes and storming out of the press conference.
Support from Fever president Kelly Krauskopf
Within minutes after the press conference ended, Fever president Kelly Krauskopf posted a statement of support for White's leadership.
"Coach White has done a tremendous job leading the Fever and for the second-consecutive season, has us in great position for a playoff push," Krauskopf said in the statement.
"She has kept our team focused and united, all while under the brightest spotlight our team and our league have ever experienced. She has the full support of leadership," Krauskopf added.
