Indiana Fever puts Caitlin Clark in charge of the search for a new general manager

The Indiana Fever are turning to an unexpected connection as they search for a new general manager: the agency that represents Caitlin Clark .

Following a major front-office shake-up, Indiana has hired Excel Search & Advisory to assist with the recruitment process.

The firm is owned by Excel Sports Management, which represents Clark , creating a notable link between the franchise's biggest star and the search for its next basketball operations leader.

However, Clark will not make the final hiring decision. That responsibility remains with Pacers Sports & Entertainment, with players expected to have input into the process.

The search follows the departures of team president Kelly Krauskopf and general manager Amber Cox on October 23. The changes leave Indiana facing important decisions about its roster, salary commitments and championship ambitions ahead of the 2027 season.

Clark has already made clear that she wants to help shape the team's future. During her end-of-season interview, the guard explained that she and fellow star Aliyah Boston intended to play an active role in recruiting players.

“That’s the responsibility of me and AB at this point as the leaders of this team,” Clark said in her exit interview.

“Then, obviously, if we get Kelsey back, she could be helping us as well. Us and Amber always have an open dialogue about players. At the end of the day, Amber is the GM and she makes final call but she certainly asks us our opinion and wants us to have a voice in that.

“(I want to) continue to use my voice in that the best I can and continue to help free agents who wanna come here and show them around if they wanna visit.”

A critical offseason for Clark and the Fever

Excel's appointment gives the Fever access to a firm with experience in sports executive recruitment. It has worked on searches involving teams and organizations across women's basketball and other sports, and is also assisting with the search for the WNBA's next commissioner.

The connection to Clark is noteworthy, but it does not automatically mean the star guard controls the appointment.

The ownership group will retain the final say, while Clark and Boston are expected to provide their perspectives on the players and leadership they believe can help Indiana compete.

According to The Indianapolis Star, there is no fixed deadline for the appointment, although the start of free agency in January 2027 means the organization cannot afford to delay its planning for long.

The next GM inherits a complicated roster

The incoming executive will have several major decisions to make, starting with Kelsey Mitchell' s future. Mitchell is an unrestricted free agent after an outstanding season alongside Clark, and keeping the All-Star guard could be central to Indiana's plans.

Sophie Cunningham is also approaching free agency, adding further uncertainty to the roster. The new GM must balance retaining important contributors with addressing the team's defensive shortcomings.

Indiana finished the 2026 regular season with a franchise-record 28 wins, but its campaign ended against the Las Vegas Aces in the first round of the playoffs. Despite the team's offensive production, the early exit demonstrated that scoring alone will not be enough to deliver a championship.

The franchise also faces significant financial considerations. Boston has already secured an extension, while Clark's own contract situation will be an important part of Indiana's long-term planning.

The new executive will need to understand the salary cap and determine how to build a balanced roster around the team's young stars.

Meanwhile, Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO Mel Raines will oversee business operations, with the organization not planning to fill Krauskopf's vacant team president position at this stage.

Clark's involvement could help Indiana understand what its leading players need to succeed, but the real test will be finding an executive who can turn those ambitions into a championship-caliber team.

With free agency approaching and key players facing uncertain futures, the Fever's next appointment could shape the franchise for years to come.