A former Indiana Fever player alleges that the WNBA team fired a male employee for sexual harassment last season and encouraged players to “keep quiet” about it.
Las Vegas Aces forward Brianna Turner, who played for the Fever in 2025, made the allegation on social media site X on Wednesday, July 22, as part of a series of posts defending transgender people. Earlier that day, Turner’s former Fever teammate Sophie Cunningham said she supported transgender people but did not believe trans women should be able to play women’s sports. Turner argued there are much bigger threats to women.
“An issue that has caused problems though? Last year on my WNBA team a male staff member was fired for sexual harassment, but we were encouraged to keep quiet about it. That is an issue. Sexism, misogyny, homophobia, and racism are all issues,” Turner wrote.
It is not clear who the fired staff member is or if the target of the alleged harassment was another Fever employee.
In a statement provided to USA TODAY on Thursday, July 23, the Indiana Fever said, “Protecting our players and employees and maintaining a respectful, professional workplace is our top priority. Our policy is to take concerns seriously, investigate thoroughly, and act promptly when appropriate to protect the people in our organization and ensure everyone is treated with professionalism and respect. Fostering trust and safety in that process means we do not comment on personnel matters involving former employees.”
USA TODAY reached out to the WNBA for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
Turner’s allegation was revealed at a time when WNBA player safety is in the spotlight. On Tuesday, July 21, four days before the 2026 All-Star Game, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert met with leaders of the players’ union to discuss how to protect players from online abuse and harassment. One recent high-profile incident involved the Fever. After Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas was given a one-game suspension for a flagrant foul on Fever star Caitlin Clark in June, Thomas said she received death threats and racist comments from people online. Clark and Fever coach Stephanie White both condemned the hate directed at Thomas.
Turner, an eighth-year WNBA veteran, is treasurer of the WNBA players’ association and helped negotiate a groundbreaking collective bargaining agreement ahead of the 2026 season. Turner is a longstanding advocate for the transgender community and often voices her opinions on social media.
(This story has been updated with additional information.)
