The Indiana Fever have announced that assistant coach Austin Kelly is taking an indefinite leave of absence from the team, effective immediately, following the emergence of sexual harassment allegations involving players.
The organization released a brief statement on Thursday, confirming that Kelly had voluntarily stepped away to “address personal matters” and that the team fully supports his decision. However, multiple sources within the WNBA have indicated that the leave is directly linked to an internal investigation into claims of inappropriate conduct.
According to individuals familiar with the situation, several Fever players have come forward with accusations that Kelly engaged in a pattern of sexually harassing behavior, including unwanted comments, inappropriate physical contact, and creating a hostile work environment. The allegations reportedly date back to the early part of the season, with at least one player having filed a formal complaint with team management.
“We take any and all allegations of misconduct extremely seriously,” the Fever’s statement read. “The organization is committed to providing a safe and respectful environment for all players and staff. We will conduct a thorough and fair review of the matter.”
The 40-year-old Kelly, who joined the Fever’s coaching staff in 2022, has not publicly responded to the allegations. His representatives declined to comment on Thursday.
The news has sent shockwaves through the WNBA community, with several current and former players expressing their support for the accusers on social media. The league has also confirmed that it is monitoring the situation and will cooperate fully with any investigation.
Kelly’s leave comes at a critical time for the Fever, who are fighting for a playoff spot in the final weeks of the regular season. Head coach Christie Sides said the team is focused on “staying united and moving forward” while the matter is resolved.