The Indiana Fever made the questionable decision to revoke the media credentials of respected beat reporter Scott Agness over his coverage of WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark. The Fever claimed that Agness shared “inaccurate and unsubstantiated information.” However, he has strongly denied the accusation in an update to his readers, providing details and context.
The vast majority of the public was outraged, including an esteemed Indiana sports writer, who used strong language to underscore how problematic the Fever’s actions were.
WNBA World Condemns Fever for Banning Respected Beat Writer Scott Agness
The Fever took issue with Agness’ reporting on Clark being ruled out with a back injury against the Portland Fire on May 20, under two hours before tip-off, despite not previously being on the team’s injury report.
In his report, Agness used the term “strategic management plan.” He cited a trusted source, and Clark’s coach, Stephanie White, later told reporters, “She’s healthy. We’re not managing anything.” Since then, Fever PR has emailed Agness, informing him of his revoked credentials.
The decision raises significant issues for the Fever, as they may have overstepped. Award-winning columnist Bob Kravitz defended Agness in a ferocious tweet, labeling the team’s decision “minor league stuff.”
“Absolute bullsh*t. Bullsh*t from the Pacers and bullsh*t from the Fever. Minor league stuff. Nobody covers both franchises more thoroughly than Scott. This is flat out wrong,” Kravitz reacted.
Absolute bullshit. Bullshit from the Pacers and bullshit from the Fever. Minor league stuff. Nobody covers both franchises more thoroughly than Scott. This is flat out wrong. https://t.co/WVf3nR4UVy
— Bob Kravitz (@bkravitz) June 3, 2026
OutKick’s Amber Harding Snyder wrote, “This is ridiculous, Scott. You’ve always been the ultimate professional, and your coverage of the Fever is the best in the business. Something more is clearly going on there.”
This is ridiculous, Scott. You’ve always been the ultimate professional, and your coverage of the Fever is the best in the business. Something more is clearly going on there.
— Amber Harding Snyder (@TheAmberHarding) June 2, 2026
Agness also mentioned in his message to his subscribers that the Indiana Pacers had previously revoked his media access, which may have influenced the swiftness of the Fever’s actions.
Bill Reiter, host of “The Fan LA,” described the Fever’s actions as “infuriating to read” and “absurd, incompetent & unnecessary.” He also called on Indiana to “Stop getting in its own way.”
This is absurd, incompetent & unnecessary. The Fever should stop getting in its own way. Coverage of WNBA games is A) Good for the game B) Part of being a relevant team/league. C) Going to include coverage you don’t always love. This response by the Fever is infuriating to read https://t.co/egkzXfGXAu
— Bill Reiter (@sportsreiter) June 2, 2026
NBA insider Brett Siegel tweeted about how poorly the Fever beat writer was treated by the team, writing, “This is just wrong. Scott is the best when it comes to coverage for both the Pacers and Fever, and he’s not some random blogger. Scott is a true professional at what he does, and having his credentials revoked for reporting on FACTUAL information is extremely poor.”
This is just wrong. Scott is the best when it comes to coverage for both the Pacers and Fever, and he’s not some random blogger. Scott is a true professional at what he does, and having his credentials revoked for reporting on FACTUAL information is extremely poor. https://t.co/if4Yab1pUL
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) June 2, 2026
Yahoo Sports’ Dan Wolken asked rhetorically, “Can the WNBA ever just be normal about the whole Caitlin Clark thing?”
Can the WNBA ever just be normal about the whole Caitlin Clark thing? https://t.co/ark9L3VQEG
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) June 2, 2026
NBA reporter Yaron Weitzman also pointed out the apparent new reality for WNBA reporters, observing, “If you’re a cheerleader, the WNBA and its teams will let you cover the league. If not, you’re in trouble.”
That I was able to guess, based on the WNBA’s history with media, what the contents of this note were going to be before even clicking (TLDR version: Credential revoked) is telling.
If you’re a cheerleader, the WNBA and its teams will let you cover the league. If not, you’re in… https://t.co/KG5NxWZ1l5
— Yaron Weitzman (@YaronWeitzman) June 2, 2026
If true, this is highly troublesome, as beat writers are asked to provide fair coverage based on accurate information, which, by all accounts, Agness did. The Fever have now opened themselves up to a lot of needless negative publicity.
Clark is frequently an attention magnet, but Agness was simply drawing a conclusion from sourced information.
Since the news broke, the PBWA WNBA chapter board has released a statement saying that it “objects in the strongest possible terms to any reporter losing access for the act of reporting.”
With the widespread condemnation the Fever’s actions have brought, don’t expect the controversy to go away any time soon.
