Indiana Fever beat reporter Scott Agness on covering Caitlin Clark’s rookie season

Scott Agness has gone from Indiana Fever ball boy to Indiana Fever beat reporter. As a 14-year-old, he could have never predicted that he would have a press row seat to a landmark sports moment.

Agness, formerly of The Athletic, now works for himself. The 35-year-old covers the Indiana Fever and the Indiana Pacers for Fieldhouse Files on Substack. That means he has written about Caitlin Clark since her WNBA debut.

Clark’s arrival has led to unprecedented coverage, attendance, and ratings for women’s professional basketball. She helped lead the Fever to their first playoff appearance since 2016. And even though Indiana was eliminated in the first round by the Connecticut Sun last week, the Caitlin Clark phenomenon may be just getting started. We recently caught up with Agness to discuss Fever and Clark.

Note: This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

Awful Announcing: What was it like covering the Fever this year?

Scott Agness: ‘Unlike anything I’ve ever covered before. It was intense, exhilarating, and fun. It also had challenges. But more than anything, it’s been a blast because people care. Caitlin Clark has made the Fever relevant for the first time since 2016 when Tamika Catchings retired. After all their struggles and several coaches and different players, they landed a franchise player in December when they landed the top pick (in the draft lottery). Ever since then, nothing has been the same. Every metric is as high as possible, from sponsorships, ticket sales, attendance, and TV ratings. It seems like everything Caitlin does is newsworthy. Everybody has benefited because of her entrance into the league.”

Could you give other examples of her off-the-court impact?

“At the first preseason game, there were 33 reporters and eight cameras. On exit interview day last year, two reporters. So, things are very, very different. Every game is a sellout. I’ve talked to fans who are spending over $1,000 to sit courtside at one game. Fans traveling from Germany, Switzerland, and Australia just to attend a Caitlin Clark game and see what this phenomenon was all about.”

What has her arrival meant for your business?

“It has completely changed the sports landscape in Indianapolis. The Fever became the sport that was discussed in Indianapolis all summer. I had friends who had never watched the league texting me their in-game opinions and how it is appointment TV for them. In terms of what I do, like all metrics, it’s sky high, especially YouTube viewership. People care about everything that Caitlin, her teammates, and coach have to say. My subscribers are up. My following on Twitter and Instagram is up. I have fans who clip my videos and share them on their platforms. I truly feel this is a seismic moment in women’s sports.”

How accessible has Caitlin been for media interviews?

“She’s doing about 30 minutes of media on every game day. That’s certainly nothing that anyone has had to do in this league before, but it rivals what some NBA players are asked to do, and she’s done it without any complaints. When she does it, they’re all group settings with countless people, and the majority have their cameras out because we know this is a moment that needs to be captured. She hasn’t really done one-on-ones, but she is widely available for these group interviews after practices.”

Any sense that she’s growing a little weary over the attention?

“What she did at Iowa, with the sellout games, the two national title game appearances, plus all those national TV games, helped prepare her. Now, nothing could entirely prepare her for all the different things, including playing 11 games in the first 20 days and all the frequent media sessions. There was one revealing moment when she said: ‘I talk to you guys (the media) more than I talk to my own family each day.’ It wasn’t a complaint by any means. That was her helping us understand a little bit of what it’s like to be her.”

What do her teammates think of all the attention?

“Because (so many fans are) watching Caitlin and the Fever, that means more eyes are on you and everything you say. They have to be mindful of that. But there’s also been a lot of positive stories. More fans are getting to know Lexie Hull and Aliyah Boston. Another heartwarming story was Erica Wheeler. She opened a restaurant in Atlanta and has gotten good feedback there. Recently, she was in D.C., and some fans bought her dinner. More fans have donated to her foundation because she plays with Caitlin and the Fever. They want to help her. That would not have happened last year.”

What’s next for Caitlin Clark?

“For Caitlin, she’s going to enjoy the next couple of months of just being out of the spotlight, trying to live as much of a regular life as she can here in Indianapolis. Her boyfriend (Connor McCaffery) was hired as an assistant coach for the Butler men’s basketball team. I think you’ll see her there. She’ll be on the golf course some.

What’s next for the Fever?

“For the team, they hired Kelly Krauskopf, who’s returning as team president, a title she held for about 19 years before moving on to the Pacers as assistant general manager. So, you bring back the true architect of the franchise. She was working for the league. Then the Fever was created. She was the president who helped shape everything. She was the one who drafted Tamika Catchings. She brings all kinds of experience. I think that is huge. They have to decide on (free agent) Kelsey Mitchell. Can you reach an agreement with her? I’m curious to see if there’s a free agent or two out there who sees all the attention the Fever gets. Going to play with Caitlin means you’re playing with arguably the best passer in the league. You’re going to get touches. You’re going to excel. It’s a fun brand of basketball.”

What has been the reaction to Alyssa Thomas’ accusation of online racism from the Indiana Fever fanbase?

“There are parts of the Internet that are toxic places, and certainly some of that has come to light more because of the interest level in the Fever. To me, it does not feel like it’s Fever fans or basketball fans. It feels like a combination of bots and a lot of negativity out there. At the exit interviews, Caitlin wisely stressed ‘These are not basketball fans. These aren’t WNBA fans. These are trolls who are trying to capitalize on our attention.”

How did you become a ball boy for the Fever?

“I was the first ball boy for the team. Obviously, there (had been) girls. I was 14, and it was an incredible experience. I was filling in when my sister could not do it. They liked me. I did it well enough. It was just the basic things, mopping the floor, folding towels, and rebounding. I was asked to come back. I continued to do so every summer.”