Indiana Fever executive Lin Dunn is under scrutiny from fans for retweeting an article that suggested Caitlin Clark’s spotlight was a “hurdle” for coach Stephanie White. The Athletic’s Annie Costabile published a story on Wednesday in the wake of Clark and White’s heated altercation on the sidelines during Indiana’s game in Portland on Saturday.
In the article, Costabile said the Fever’s coaching job is considered the “toughest” in the WNBA because of Clark and the attention it brings to those around her.
“She [White] returned for what is widely considered the toughest job in the WNBA because of the spotlight that Clark and everyone in her vicinity is under,” Costabile wrote.
Clark and White shot down speculation of a rift and assured they had each other’s backs. Clark also said she “bawled” in White’s arms after her groin injury against the Connecticut Sun last year, which ended her 2025 WNBA season.
However, Clark, White and the Fever have the microscope on them because of the star guard’s popularity, so moments like Saturday’s gain more prominence in the modern WNBA landscape. Costabile called it “one of the biggest hurdles” White has to face.
“That kind of fiery back-and-forth has been an everlasting occurrence publicly and privately across all professional team sports,” she wrote.
“What is different in the modern WNBA is the visibility and access to these moments of perceived disruption. And therein lies one of the biggest hurdles White might face as the Fever’s coach: managing the effects of the microscope on Clark and consequently the entire organization.”
While Costabile’s points may be valid, some of Caitlin Clark’s fans felt it painted the star guard in a negative light. With such a narrative already on their minds, Fever executive Lin Dunn’s decision to retweet the article added fuel to the fire.
One fan said:
“This is nasty, they’re retweeting hit pieces?! Just free CC at this point.”
Another tweeted:
“Just ridiculous lol.”
One fan added:
“I can’t imagine a talented & confident coach having a ‘poor me, I have to coach the superstar’ attitude. Embarrassing for Steph.”
One fan said:
“Protect Steph White at all costs. Caitlin who?”
Another tweeted:
“Another hit piece by this organization.”
Caitlin Clark called Lin Dunn her “everything”
Caitlin Clark has immense respect for Lin Dunn. Clark expressed what Dunn means to her on April 22, when the Fever posted a video of the duo in practice. After Clark knocked down a three-pointer in practice, Dunn celebrated it with her.
Clark’s comment on that post stood out. She wrote:
“Lin is my everything”
Lin Dunn drafted Caitlin Clark with the No. 1 pick in 2024 while serving as the Fever’s general manager. Later that year, in October, Dunn moved to a new role as a senior advisor. Amber Cox replaced Dunn as the general manager and has been in charge since.
Read more:
- “She Is Not Always a Nice Teammate”: Fever Reporter Drops Hot Take on Caitlin Clark Amid Coaching Meltdown
- Aliyah Boston Identifies Two Key Areas Fever Must Improve Before Dream Showdown
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