Former Indiana Fever player Brianna Turner alleged on social media that the WNBA franchise fired a male staff member for sexual harassment last season and encouraged players to remain quiet about it. The claims surfaced following comments by Sophie Cunningham regarding transgender athletes in women’s sports.
The Indiana Fever faced mounting scrutiny after Brianna Turner went public with accusations detailing an internal disciplinary matter from the previous season. Turner, who played for Indiana in 2025 and currently plays for the Las Vegas Aces, published a thread on X addressing team culture and advocacy on Wednesday, July 22.
Brianna Turner’s Allegations Against the Indiana Fever
Turner’s online statements contended that the organization dismissed a male staff member over sexual harassment allegations during her time with the team, while simultaneously instructing players not to discuss the situation publicly. It remains uncertain whether a police report was filed regarding the harassment claims, according to the Indianapolis Star’s Chloe Peterson.
The posts formed part of a broader sequence of commentary concerning social issues in women’s basketball. Turner barked at Cunningham’s claims, saying organizations like the Fever are a greater threat to the game than trans athletes. According to Turner, the Fever fired a male staff member after allegations of sexual harassment but instructed players not to discuss the matter publicly.
“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.”
Brianna Turner, forward for the Las Vegas Aces and former Indiana Fever player
Turner also defended transgender inclusion in sports during her social media thread, pointing to former player Layshia Clarendon and arguing that trans athletes have caused zero problems in the league. To date there’s been one out trans player in the league. They caused zero problems,
Turner wrote, and cited former WNBA player Layshia Clarendon. Turner added that alleged sexism, misogyny, homophobia and racism within organizations were the real issues. Turner, who also referred to the incident as an issue that has caused problems,
spent just the 2025 season with Indiana before moving in during the 2026 offseason.
Sophie Cunningham’s Comments and Context
The online exchange followed remarks by Turner’s former teammate, Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who discussed participation standards for female sports in an interview published by ESPN. Cunningham said she wants to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men.
“I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
Sophie Cunningham, guard for the Indiana Fever
Turner, however, argued that organizational issues within professional franchises present a more tangible concern for the sport.
The Indiana Fever’s Official Response
The Indiana Fever issued a formal statement on Thursday, July 23, addressing workplace standards without directly referencing Turner’s specific claims about the fired staff member or instructions to remain silent. The Indiana Fever have issued a statement responding to a social media post from former player Brianna Turner alleging that a male staffer was fired by the team last season due to sexual harassment and players were encouraged to keep quiet about it.
“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.”
Indiana Fever, official team statement
The team added that it takes concerns seriously, investigates thoroughly and acts promptly when appropriate, and added that it does not comment on personnel matters involving former employees. As of late Thursday, the WNBA had not announced an investigation or issued public commentary regarding Turner’s allegations. The league office recently met with players’ union leadership to address broader concerns regarding online abuse and player safety, coinciding with the approach of the 2026 All-Star Game.
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