The Indiana Fever are parting ways with general manager Amber Cox after two years in the role.
Cox joined the franchise in 2024 to replace Lin Dunn, who is now special advisor to the team. Cox had been the chief operating officer of the Dallas Wings before assuming the same role with the Fever, along with her general manager duties. Under Cox's leadership, the Fever earned a franchise-record 28 wins this season. During Cox's tenure, Indiana was 52-36 overall, with a 5-6 record in the playoffs the last two seasons.
Cox's firing comes amid a leadership shakeup for the franchise, which also includes the departure of team president Kelly Krauskopf. Krauskopf leaves Indiana following nearly 30 years with Pacers Sports & Entertainment, which operates and manages the Fever and Indiana Pacers.
With Cox out as general manager, let's take a look back at notable items during her time with the team.
Amber Cox's noteworthy milestones as Fever general manager
- Managing injuries during the 2025 season: The Indiana Fever won the 2025 Commissioner's Cup and made it to the semifinals the same year, all while managing injuries. Caitlin Clark played 13 games because of a series of soft tissue injuries, which forced Indiana to get creative with her replacement. Sophie Cunningham and former Fever guard Sydney Colson were also injured and did not complete the season. Cox was able to sign players like Aari McDonald, Odyssey Sims, Shey Peddy, Chloe Bibby and Aerial Powers to fill the gaps and help the Fever get to within a game of the 2025 WNBA Finals.
- Aliyah Boston's contract extension: In April, the Indiana Fever and Aliyah Boston agreed to a four-year contract extension through the league's new Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract (EPIC) provision. Boston's four-year deal was reportedly worth $6.3 million, the largest total salary in league history. She made $1 million in 2026 and will earn 20% of the salary cap each season through 2029. Boston qualified for the contract after being named second-team All-WNBA in 2025, after averaging career-highs in points (15) and assists (3.7).
- Re-signing Kelsey Mitchell: In 2025 and 2026, the Indiana Fever were able to bring Kelsey Mitchell back by giving her a core designation. In 2026, Mitchell received a $1.4 million supermax deal ahead of a historic season. Mitchell set the WNBA single-season scoring record with 1,086 points in 44 games this season. She also scored 20 or more points in 27 consecutive games, a league record. Mitchell averaged 24.7 points per game on 51% shooting, plus 2.8 assists and one steal per game. The 30-year-old also shot 45% from deep.
- Indiana Fever practice facility: The Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center is slated to be the largest and most advanced training facility in the WNBA when it opens before the start of the 2027 season. It reportedly costs $78 million to build and will feature three stories and more than 100,000 square feet of space.
Amber Cox's potential missteps as Fever general manager
- DeWanna Bonner's contract and relationship: Ahead of the 2025 season, forward DeWanna Bonner followed head coach Stephanie White to the Indiana Fever and signed with the team. Bonner was waived after appearing in nine games and said “the fit did not work out” with the Fever. She was granted her release after Indiana failed to find a trade partner. Bonner joined the Phoenix Mercury before joining the Atlanta Dream in August of this year. Across nine games, the veteran averaged 7.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Indiana Fever GM Amber Cox out: Her biggest moves, missteps