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Watch Fever coach Stephanie White's fiery speech about WNBA political climate: 'Everybody else can go to hell' originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Indiana Fever have been at the center of several WNBA controversies, but head coach Stephanie White seems to have had enough.
Ahead of the Fever hosting the New York Liberty on Tuesday night, White gave a fiery speech in lieu of her pregame media availability. In the speech, White defended her players and attacked those on the outside creating unnecessary drama within the league.
White has largely kept her cool this year, and this was the first time she really let it loose. White is in her third season as Indiana's head coach and led the Fever to the WNBA semifinals last year despite a variety of injuries.
Here's a look at White's full speech on Tuesday evening.
MORE: DiJonai Carrington explains 'white privilege' post in wake of hard foul on Fever's Sophie Cunningham
Watch Stephanie White's fiery speech
Before the Fever's game on Tuesday night against the Liberty, the Fever head coach gave an impassioned speech in defense of her players. White addressed the foul on Sophie Cunningha, the negativity surrounding her team and the suggestion that she doesn't always defend her players.
"I stand by them. I will always stand by them," she closed. "Everybody else can go to hell."
Watch the full speech here.
What prompted Stephanie White's speech?
As the head coach of the Fever, Stephanie White has dealt with a variety of possible distractions beyond what's happening on the court. White coaches Caitlin Clark, who is one of the most polarizing players in the league, and Sophie Cunningham, who has now become embroiled in controversies herself.
Therefore, White is often asked questions that don't have to do with Fever basketball, and there is extra scrutiny of her on-court decisions since Indiana is under a brighter spotlight.
Recent WNBA controversies
The WNBA has been at the center of several controversies in the past few weeks. Most recently, Sophie Cunningham was fouled hard by DiJonai Carrington over the weekend, leading to an ejection that Carrington called "white privilege."
Additionally, former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White have publicly claimed they want to enter the WNBA draft, with Freedom going as far as to write a letter to the league. Those stunts are supposed to challenge the WNBA's policy towards transgender athletes.
Then there's Caitlin Clark, who always seems to draw a bright spotlight. Clark's one technical foul away from an automatic ejection, and even when she's on the court she is a polarizing figure.
Statement from Fever Team President Kelly Krauskopf
Fever president Kelly Krauskopf immediately gave White a vote of confidence after the speech to make sure everybody knew that they are on the same page.
"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," the statement said. "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."
Why do some fans want Stephanie White fired?
White has arguably the toughest jobs in the WNBA, coaching a polarizing player like Clark while still trying to produce a championship caliber team. There are some fans who believe she hasn't done a good enough job at coaching Clark, while other fans believe she hasn't done well enough at coaching the rest of her team.
Therefore, White is constantly in the crosshairs of Fever fans, WNBA fans and casual fans, all while trying to focus on the rest of the season.
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