The Indiana Fever revoked the credential of independent journalist Scott Agness, who has covered the WNBA team and Indiana Pacers for two decades.
The Fever, Agness said on his Fieldhouse Files website, sent him an email on May 21 informing him he would no longer be allowed access to team events. The team said a post by Agness on X included “inaccurate and unsubstantiated” information about All-Star guard Caitlin Clark.
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Agness posted this on May 20: “Fever guard Caitlin Clark will NOT play tonight vs Portland Fire. I’m told it’s part of a strategic management plan for the season. Tonight is the Fever’s fourth game in eight days.”
Fever coach Stephanie White refuted the report at her pregame news conference on May 20.
“There’s no managing,” White said. “She’s healthy. We’re not managing anything. This is just a back issue that we want to make sure we give the time to be ready.”
The Fever had no comment about Agness when reached by USA TODAY Sports. The WNBA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Agness had his credential revoked by the Pacers in 2024. The NBA has also revoked credentials for the reporter. The Fever and Pacers share the same ownership but have different front offices and public relations staffs.
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The Pro Basketball Writers association issued a statement on social media on June 2 regarding Agness.
“The (Professional Basketball Writers Association) objects in the strongest possible terms to any reporter losing access for the act of reporting. Any effort to prevent reporters from doing the work of informing the public reflects poorly on any team and league which attempts to do so, and runs contrary to the best interests of all involved, most of all the public.”
The Fever were issued a warning for failure to properly update Clark’s status ahead of that May 20 game against Portland. The league requires teams to submit injury reports the day before a game by 5 p.m. in the time zone of the contest’s location. Clark was not listed on the injury report although she missed practice May 19 to receive treatment for her back.
Clark later affirmed she did not practice on May 19 and woke up stiff May 20. She said she did everything she could, including home physical therapy and a pregame workout, before determining that she couldn’t play around 5 p.m. The third-year pro played in 13 games last season because of a series of soft tissue injuries.
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“It’s just been over the course of the last year when I’ve kind of been understanding my body more,” Clark said. “I think before before that it was always like, ‘Meh, I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine, go play, go play, go play,’ and maybe sometimes I’m a little too hyper aware on certain things, but at the same time, that’s good, like I understand things, and it’s just continuing to work through that, and I think it’s just finding the balance.”
During a media availability on May 29, White confirmed Clark will be listed as probable on the injury report for the foreseeable future as she navigates an ongoing back issue.
Agness worked as Pacers locker room attendant and equipment manager from 2003-12, according to his LinkedIn profile. He also worked for the Pacers website as a reporter from 2012-14. He was a Pacers beat reporter for The Athletic from 2018-20 before starting his own website.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Indiana Fever pull reporter’s credential after Caitlin Clark injury post
