Since bursting onto the scene as an expansion franchise in 2000, the Indiana Fever has grown from underdog hopefuls into one of the WNBA’s most storied teams, claiming a championship, cultivating legends, and drawing national attention.
Yet behind every thrilling crossover dribble and championship parade is a billionaire owner whose investments have shaped the team’s fortunes. It is the business empire of Herbert Simon, whose personal net worth underpins the franchise’s future ambitions.
Indiana Fever’s 2025 WNBA Season, Owner, And More
The Fever’s 2025 campaign kicked off with a statement 93–58 victory over the Chicago Sky on May 17, highlighted by Caitlin Clark’s first triple-double of the season (20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) and Aliyah Boston’s double-double.
DeWanna Bonner also etched her name in WNBA history during the game, surpassing Tina Thompson to move into third place on the league’s all-time scoring list with 7,489 career points.
"All eyes around the country, around the world are on the Indiana Fever."
🔥 largest season-opening win in franchise history (35 points)
🔥 DeWanna Bonner moves into third on WNBA's all-time scoring list
🔥 Caitlin Clark records third career triple-double (fastest in WNBA… pic.twitter.com/7osJNOfgOF— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever)
At the heart of the Fever’s story stands Herbert “Herb” Simon, co-founder of Simon Property Group and long-time owner of both the Indiana Pacers and Fever.
Born in 1934 in Brooklyn, Simon built his real estate empire from the ground up, transforming retail landscapes across the United States. According to Forbes, Simon’s net worth is north of $5.1 billion as of 2025.
When the WNBA granted an expansion franchise to Indianapolis in 1999, Simon—already steward of the Pacers—stepped forward to bring women’s professional basketball to the city he called home.
Since the team’s inception in 2000, Simon has remained the Fever’s principal owner, overseeing every major decision from front-office hires to coaching appointments.
Indiana joined the WNBA as an expansion franchise in 2000, marking Indianapolis’s entry into women’s professional basketball. Despite a challenging inaugural season that yielded a record of 9 wins and 23 losses, the worst they have ever seen, the team ended up becoming one of the strongest contenders in over two decades.
Surprisingly, the very 9-23 struggle secured the Fever a high draft pick in 2001. This gave them the chance to reshape their roster from the outset.
The Fever selected Tamika Catchings from the University of Tennessee with the third overall pick in the 2001 WNBA Draft. Unfortunately, she could not play during the 2001 season because of a knee injury. The star forward returned the following season. She averaged 18.6 points per game and guided the Fever into their first playoff appearance.
After 12 consecutive postseason playoff appearances, Indiana reached the WNBA Finals for the first time in 2009 under head coach Lin Dunn. However, they lost to the Phoenix Mercury in a five-game series, bidding adieu to their championship dreams.
Undeterred, the team returned stronger in 2012. That year, the Fever claimed their first WNBA championship against the Minnesota Lynx. During this season, Catchings averaged 22.3 points and 6 rebounds per game and bagged the Most Valuable Player award.
Following their 2012 victory, the Fever fell short in recreating history despite being one of the best teams in the WNBA.
In 2024, Sports Illustrated estimated that the team is currently valued at approximately $90 million. Furthermore, Simon’s commitment to the Fever extends beyond court success.
Reuters reported in January 2025, the team announced a collaborative $78 million investment in a new downtown performance center—a three-story, 108,000-square-foot complex featuring two regulation courts, advanced training areas, and wellness facilities—all set to open before the 2027 season.
The Fever’s Future Outlook
The 2025 campaign arrives amid unprecedented enthusiasm, fueled by the Fever’s No. 1 draft pick, Caitlin Clark, whose on-court performance has been the talk of the town lately.
The season opener against the Chicago Sky has already proved, with Indiana’s massive 93‑58 win, that this new era can live up to lofty expectations. Clark earned her third career triple-double, with a joint attack by Bonner and Boston, pummeled Chicago to the ground during Game 1.
Under the dual stewardship of owner Herb Simon, COO Amber Cox, and head coach Stephanie White, the team is poised to translate off-court hype into on-court victories as they head to battle the Atlanta Dream on May 20.