Following a crushing 58-93 loss in their opening game, Chicago Sky’s head coach Tyler Marsh pointed fingers at the crowd rather than his team’s performance. Marsh claimed that the overwhelming boos from the 17,000 Indiana Fever fans inside the arena threw his players off their rhythm and contributed significantly to their poor showing on the court. According to Marsh, the intensity of the crowd’s reaction created a hostile environment that made it difficult for his players to concentrate, ultimately disrupting their game plan and execution.
“The fans were just relentless,” Marsh remarked during his post-game press conference. “It got to a point where some of our younger players were visibly rattled. You expect a little noise, but this was next-level. It wasn’t basketball anymore — it was chaos.”
However, Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White didn’t hold back when asked about Marsh’s comments. In a bold and unexpected response, White dismissed the idea that crowd noise should ever be used as an excuse for poor play. “This is professional basketball,” she stated firmly. “If your players can’t handle a loud arena, they’re in the wrong league. Our fans showed up to support their team, and they did exactly what passionate fans are supposed to do — make noise, show energy, and create an atmosphere. That’s not something to complain about. That’s something to prepare for.”
White’s blunt response sent a clear message: in the WNBA, dealing with pressure — including vocal crowds — is part of the job. Instead of deflecting blame, she implied, teams should focus on adapting and competing, no matter the circumstances.
