Former Indiana Fever player Brianna Turner has alleged that the organization encouraged her and her teammates to remain silent after a male staff member was fired for sexual harassment last season.
Allegations of Forced Silence
Turner, who played for the Fever during the 2025 season and currently plays for the Las Vegas Aces, made the claims in a nine-post thread on the social media platform X on Wednesday, July 22. In her posts, Turner wrote, Last year on my WNBA team a male staff member was fired for sexual harassment, but we were encouraged to keep quiet about it.
She characterized the situation as an issue, grouping it with sexism, misogyny, homophobia, and racism.
According to that source, the comment was not heard by any players, was immediately reported, and resulted in the staffer’s termination on the same day. The source further stated that players were informed of the situation immediately and were never told they could not discuss it. Additionally, the source noted that no crime or harm occurred and local authorities were not called.
Indiana Fever Response
In a statement provided to multiple outlets, including USA Today, the Indiana Fever stated that maintaining a respectful, professional workplace and protecting players and employees is their “top priority.”
The organization’s statement read: 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.
The team declined to provide further details on the specific case, stating, Fostering trust and safety in that process means we do not comment on personnel matters involving former employees.
Context of the Social Media Thread
Turner’s allegations emerged while she was reacting to an ongoing debate regarding transgender athletes in women’s sports. The conversation was reignited after current Fever player Sophie Cunningham stated in an ESPN profile that she wanted to protect young girls in the locker room
and believed they shouldn't have to go against biological men.
Turner’s thread began with a quote from Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve regarding state bans on biological men competing in women’s sports, stating exclusion is never the answer…trans lives matter.
Turner, an eighth-year WNBA veteran and treasurer of the WNBA players’ association, wrote that she has been an advocate for the transgender community since entering the league, noting that there has been only one out trans player in the league to date who caused zero problems.
Broader Player Safety Concerns
The allegations come as player safety and harassment remain focal points for the league. On July 21, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert met with players’ union leaders to discuss protecting athletes from online abuse. This follows a recent incident where Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas reported receiving death threats and racist comments after being suspended for a flagrant foul on Caitlin Clark in June.
Turner’s professional background includes:
- Draft: Selected 11th overall by the Atlanta Dream out of Notre Dame.
- Previous Teams: Spent five years with the Phoenix Mercury and one year with the Chicago Sky.
- Accolades: Named to the WNBA All-Defensive First Team in 2020 and 2021, and the All-Rookie team in 2019.
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