INDIANAPOLIS — Sydney Colson is used to the hype.
She’s used to the large crowds, constant media attention and having a lot of eyes on her team. After all, that’s what she experienced in Las Vegas for the past three years, winning two WNBA championships with the Aces and playing with three-time MVP A’ja Wilson.
That hype and attention is about to hit another level with the Indiana Fever, and Colson is ready for it.
“I’m going from a team that was very immersed in media, people were excited to watch us, to another that is arguably the most talked-about team in sports right now,” Colson said. “It’s exciting to be a part of a team that has a lot of positive energy around it.”
Colson, who signed with the Fever for a one-year deal for $90,000 on Feb. 6, will be immersed in what has become essentially the Fever’s cultural and economic shift on Indianapolis and across the country.
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The Fever are selling out arenas, home and away. Road games feel like home, filled with fans cheering for phenom Caitlin Clark and the Fever. Wherever she goes, too, Clark has a seemingly never-ending crowd of people hoping to get an autograph and a picture.
“We’re seeing a team that’s now affecting the economy and the city,” Colson said of the Fever. “People are coming from out of town, out of the state, out of the country maybe to see games, so that’s special.”
According to a study by Ryan Brewer, a valuation expert and professor at Indiana University Columbus, Clark’s economic impact on Indianapolis in 2024 was upwards of $36 million. She accounted for 26.5% of leaguewide activity, and one of every six tickets sold in the WNBA was to a Fever game.
Colson hopes that hype, that enthusiasm for the Fever — and for the other title-contending teams in the league — is a rising tide that will lift all boats.
“I think it’s gonna be awesome, it’s gonna be remarkable,” Colson said of the sold-out arenas. “… I think what we’re able to do, what the Aces, the New Yorks are able to do, is elevate the game and get people to respect our entire league, not just a few teams.”
And the Fever hope Colson’s veteran leadership can lift Indiana into a championship contender, as well.
Indiana was already on an upward trajectory last season — the Fever went 20-20 under former coach Christie Sides, making the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Indiana especially thrived following the Olympic break, going 9-5 over the final 24 games of the season and notching wins over every team except the Aces.
“A lot of players didn’t want to see Indiana after their All-Star break, how they came and finished the season, nobody wanted to see them in the playoffs,” Colson said. “I’m excited to see that group back, but also adding a lot of veteran experience and a lot of winning.”
Following the 2024 season, Indiana completely revamped its front office and roster. Kelly Krauskopf stepped in as president, Amber Cox as general manager, and Stephanie White left Connecticut to become the head coach.
Colson is just one of multiple experienced, championship-winning players the Fever brought in for the 2025 season, joining three-time champion Natasha Howard and WNBA playoff appearance record-holder DeWanna Bonner.
“She’s a winner,” Cox said. “She knows how to win, knows how to play a role, so she was somebody we targeted really early in free agency. Just looking down the line in free agency, just really excited when the plan comes together.”
Colson likely will not have a large on-court role this season. She will play behind Clark, who averaged 35.4 minutes per game in her rookie season. But Colson, who averaged 8.0 minutes per game on the Aces last season, knows that’s what she signed up for when coming to the Fever.
“I’m bringing veteran leadership, knowledge, energy, swinging the defensive momentum, just being that person that’s dependable,” Colson said. “I’m always gonna come in and do my role, and I’ll thrive whether it’s eight minutes, it’s 15 minutes, it’s two minutes, I’m gonna play hard and get everybody involved. I want to win, ultimately.”
Follow IndyStar Fever Insider Chloe Peterson on X at @chloepeterson67.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Fever free agent addition Sydney Colson ready for spotlight
