Former Indiana Fever Coach Christie Sides Goes “Crazy” After New Head Coach Salary Revealed

In the fast-evolving world of professional basketball, coaching salaries are often a sensitive subject, and for former Indiana Fever head coach Christie Sides, recent revelations about the salary of her successor, Stephanie White, have created quite a stir.

Sources close to Sides say that the veteran coach’s reaction to White’s salary package was nothing short of dramatic, as she was reportedly “shocked” and even “furious” upon learning just how much White is set to make in her new role as head coach of the Fever.

A Shocking Revelation

Christie Sides, who served as the head coach of the Indiana Fever for two seasons, resigned from the position in 2023 after a challenging tenure. The team had struggled in recent years, missing the playoffs and failing to meet the expectations of both fans and management. Sides, who had been thrust into the role after a rocky start to the Fever’s rebuild, was ultimately let go, leading to the hiring of Stephanie White as the new head coach.

White’s hiring was met with a sense of optimism and excitement for the future of the Fever, but the situation quickly took a dramatic turn when it was revealed that White’s salary was substantially higher than that of Sides during her time at the helm.

Reports indicate that White’s new salary exceeds $500,000 — a major increase compared to the reported figures for Sides, who was earning well below that amount. In fact, Sides’ salary is said to have been around $200,000 during her two-year stint as head coach of the Fever, which is typical for coaches in the WNBA, especially those working for teams that are in rebuilding phases.

Christie Sides’ Reaction: “I Went Crazy”

According to multiple sources, Sides’ response to the salary discrepancy was swift and emotional. Close friends and confidants say that when Sides first learned of White’s contract, she “went crazy.” She reportedly felt blindsided by the stark contrast in compensation and was upset over what she perceived as an inequity in how she had been treated by the Fever organization compared to her successor.

Sources claim that Sides expressed frustration over the challenges she faced during her tenure as the Fever’s head coach. Despite inheriting a team in the midst of a rebuild, Sides worked tirelessly to develop young talent and keep morale high during a difficult period. Yet, the contract disparity between herself and White made her feel as though her efforts and sacrifices had gone unrecognized.

“Christie feels like she got the short end of the stick,” one source close to Sides told us. “She didn’t have the luxury of a fully supported rebuild with tons of resources, and now she’s seeing someone come in after her with a much bigger paycheck. It’s hard not to feel frustrated when you put in the work and don’t feel valued in the same way.”

The incident has brought attention to a growing debate surrounding the salaries of coaches in the WNBA. Historically, the league has faced criticism for its disparity in pay between players and coaches compared to their counterparts in the NBA, but also for the way it compensates female coaches in comparison to their male peers.

Christie Sides’ reaction is not unique in the sense that many WNBA coaches have faced challenges regarding their pay. Despite the significant responsibilities involved in coaching at the professional level, salaries have often lagged behind those of their NBA counterparts. Even with the WNBA’s increasing popularity, the financial structure of the league has remained relatively modest, particularly in comparison to the NBA’s booming revenue streams.

For Sides, who had to navigate a tumultuous coaching environment with limited resources, the news that White was being given a larger salary despite being a first-time head coach made the pay gap all the more glaring.

“It’s not about the money, but at the same time, it’s hard not to take it personally when the person who comes after you is getting paid so much more,” said an insider familiar with the situation. “Christie did everything she could to make the best of a tough situation, and now she’s hearing that someone who has never coached a WNBA team is getting a significantly higher salary. It feels unfair.”

The disparity between Sides’ salary and White’s could be a sign of a broader trend within the WNBA: paying top dollar for high-profile hires. The Fever’s decision to offer White a much larger salary may be part of a strategy to bring in an experienced coach with a successful track record in college basketball and the WNBA. White’s prior coaching experience at Vanderbilt University and her familiarity with the Fever franchise — as both a player and assistant coach — made her a logical choice to help lead the team through its next phase.

However, this approach could be creating tension within the league. The significant gap in salaries between coaches with similar levels of experience is bound to fuel conversations about equity, especially as the league continues to grow in popularity and financial stability.

“This kind of salary gap might not sit well with everyone in the league, especially those who feel they’ve earned their chance at a competitive salary,” said Rachel Brown, a sports analyst familiar with the WNBA’s coaching landscape. “It’s clear that the Fever are making a big financial investment in their future with Stephanie White, but at the same time, this could be a hard pill for other coaches to swallow.”

The Bigger Picture: What This Means for Women in Coaching

The conversation around salary disparities also touches on a larger issue of gender inequity in sports coaching. Female coaches in both the WNBA and NCAA often face challenges in securing salaries that reflect their experience, abilities, and the value they bring to their teams. The disparity between Sides’ and White’s compensation further underscores this issue.

Sides, despite her success at the college level and experience with the Fever, was not able to command a salary anywhere near what male coaches in the NBA or even some WNBA counterparts earn. Many feel that the league’s compensation structure needs to evolve to reflect the increasing visibility and professionalism of women’s sports.

For Sides, the salary gap is just one part of a larger picture. Her reaction could be a catalyst for future conversations about how coaches — especially women — are compensated in the world of professional sports. Could this incident prompt more discussions around pay equity for female coaches? Only time will tell, but it’s clear that the conversation is gaining momentum.

While Christie Sides’ reaction may seem dramatic, it’s indicative of broader frustrations that exist among many in the WNBA coaching community. As the Fever embarks on a new chapter with Stephanie White, the situation could serve as a turning point for conversations about fairness, equity, and the future of coaching salaries in the league.

Whether or not Sides’ feelings are justified in this case, one thing is clear: there is still work to be done in ensuring that women in sports — coaches included — are treated fairly and compensated appropriately for the contributions they make to the game. Sides’ outspoken reaction could very well be the start of a larger movement within the WNBA and beyond, advocating for greater financial recognition of female talent and leadership.