Fever coach Stephanie White opens up about fan reception after turbulent week of WNBA controversy

Fox News contributor Kaylee McGhee White discusses backlash against Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham for her comments on women’s sports on ‘Outnumbered.’

Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White ended her week on a high note Friday, after facing immense national scrutiny for days, but still made mention of people trying to "tear" her team apart.

White was cheered by the Indiana crowd ahead of the Fever's game against the Dallas Wings. She had been booed ahead of their most recent game against the New York Liberty on Tuesday, amid controversy over how she initially responded to a flagrant foul on Sophie Cunningham.

But after Cunningham and Caitlin Clark defended White publicly, the fans went back to cheering for the coach on Friday.

Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White gives instructions to Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark against the Atlanta Dream at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 18, 2026, in Indianapolis, Ind. (Getty Images)

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"It means a lot, we love eachother in that locker room. And we know that there's a lot of people out there that are trying to tear it apart," White told reporters after the game. "When we say we're a family, we mean that. It doesn't mean we always get along, it doesn't mean we always agree, but at the end of the day it means we circle our wagons and we have each other's back...

"It means a lot to me personally, and obviously, any time you get an ovation from the crowd it's nice too. I think our fans, the true Indiana Fever fans, are amazing. They've been incredible to me for a long time."

White added that the players and coaches on her staff have been "lifting her up."

Head coach Stephanie