Indiana Fever’s front office shake-up causes a stir

Peaking at over 2.5 million viewers, Monday’s WNBA Finals clash ranked as the most-watched Game 4 on record.

Fever’s front office shake-up causes a stir

The Fever has the WNBA buzzing, after Indiana fired GM Amber Cox while President Kelly Krauskopf stepped down in the league’s latest front office shake-up.

• The news came weeks after Indiana’s first-round playoff loss to Las Vegas, throwing next season into question under head coach Stephanie White.

• Indiana is now searching for new leadership, with 2027 free agents like Kelsey Mitchell and Sophie Cunningham waiting to see who runs the rebuild. (See full report)

Ripple effect: Some players praised the departing execs, while media insiders questioned White’s job security as the Fever looks to rally around centerpieces Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston.

• “Anytime changes at the executive level are made and the coach hired under previous leadership is remaining… that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re safe,” The Athletic’s Annie Costabile cautioned on No Offseason. 

• “There was not a lot of warning, and that’s OK,” Cunningham said, calling Cox and Krauskopf “phenomenal, phenomenal people” who “cared about us as players and as people not on the court.” (See full remarks)

NWSL GMs sound off in new ESPN survey

The NWSL is experiencing growing pains, as ESPN’s third annual anonymous GM survey questioned executives from all 16 clubs on the league’s thorniest debates.

• Some respondents panned the new HIP device — AKA the “Rodman Rule” — allowing teams to exceed the $3.7 million salary cap on one marquee player, with one calling it “very much inadequate” in the global market.

• Financial issues remained the top concern, with GMs referencing inflated marketing deals, hidden transfer discounts, and spousal hires two years after Angel City was fined $200,000 and docked three points for salary cap and roster violations.

Quality concerns: A handful of solutions drew near-unanimous backing, as execs suggested that more travel support could boost the on-field product.

• GMs pushed for more charter flights — currently limited to six legs per year — and warned that heavy travel can lead to poor performance.

• Despite calls to raise the cap, curb rule-breaking, and protect player health, most still dubbed the NWSL the best league in the world. (See full results)

Barcelona headlines loaded UWCL matchday

Europe’s best are back in action, as the UWCL kicks off Matchday 3 of six this afternoon with defending champion Barcelona rolling while the 2026/27 Champions League table takes shape.

• Barça (2-2-0) visits HB Køge (1-0-1) as the only team with all six points, tallying 11 League Phase goals behind Caroline Graham Hansen and Ewa Pajor’s UWCL-leading three goals each.

• Two other unbeaten clashes anchor the slate, as Bayern (1-1-0) hosts Real Madrid (0-2-0) and OL Lyonnes (1-1-0) faces Inter Milan (1-1-0). (See full schedule) 

Around the horn: Big-name rematches, breakout players, and key absences shape the rest of the two-day lineup.

• 2025/26 winner Arsenal (1-1-0) hosts Benfica (1-0-1) without Mariona Caldentey and Selina Cerci, while Chelsea (1-1-0) looks to run back last year’s win over Roma (0-1-1).

• Reigning WSL champion Man City (0-2-0) takes on PSG (1-1-0), after the French side pulled off a 5-0 rout of OH Leuven behind Naomie Feller’s two goals and two assists.

Tune in: UWCL Matchday 3 kicks off today at 1:45 PM ET (Paramount+).

Your daily home for women’s sports is here, as the all-new JWS App debuts this week — delivering everything you need to be a women’s sports fan, all in one place.

• Stay on top of who’s playing, follow all the scores, and catch the latest news while keeping up with all your favorite JWS content.

Check it out: Download the JWS App today.

Columbus NWSL breaks ground

Columbus is preparing for takeoff, as the NWSL expansion club began construction on its new dedicated training facility on Tuesday.

• Slated to open in January 2028, the 45,000-square-foot OhioHealth Training Grounds features an expansive weight room, full-service cafe, content studio, childcare area, rehab and meeting spaces, and three grass pitches plus three turf fields for youth and community programming.

• “World-class players deserve world-class facilities,” said Commissioner Jessica Berman. “The OhioHealth Training Grounds represents a meaningful commitment to giving our athletes the resources and environment they need to thrive.” (See full release)

Big plans: The facility will also welcome Olympic and Paralympic soccer teams in 2028, with Columbus tapped to host nine matches at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.

Skylar Diggins joins Notre Dame’s coaching staff

Skylar Diggins is heading home, as the South Bend native and seven-time WNBA All-Star returns to her alma mater Notre Dame as a special advisor to coach Niele Ivey.

• The Chicago Sky guard will advise Ivey’s staff, mentor players, and join the bench for most games before departing for Unrivaled Basketball in January.

• “This is truly a legendary addition,” Ivey said. “Skylar will help elevate our program through her leadership, expertise, and unique perspective as both a former student-athlete and accomplished professional.” (See full release)

Homecoming: The move reunites the program with its all-time top scorer, after Diggins led the Irish to three straight Final Fours and two national title games from 2009 to 2013.

Quote of the day

@WNBA
consoling the Wings star after she missed meeting Zendaya at Game 5 of the WNBA Finals.