Indianapolis, IN – Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell made a shocking statement today, alleging that her contract was contaminated by the team’s ownership group. Mitchell, a 25-year-old WNBA All-Star, has been one of the league’s top players since being drafted by the Fever in 2018.
In an emotional press conference, Mitchell claimed that the team’s ownership group, led by Herb Simon and his family, had made false promises about her contract and had intentionally withheld information from her during negotiations. Mitchell said that she felt betrayed and disrespected by the team’s actions, and that she had been forced to seek outside legal counsel to protect her interests.
“I’ve given my heart and soul to this team for the past four years,” Mitchell said, her voice trembling with emotion. “I’ve worked tirelessly to help this team win games and make the playoffs. And yet, when it comes to my contract, I’m treated like nothing more than a piece of property. It’s unacceptable.”
Mitchell alleged that the team’s ownership group had promised her a five-year extension worth $1 million per year, but that they had later reneged on those promises and offered her a significantly lower deal. She claimed that the team’s management had also failed to disclose important information about her contract, including a clause that would allow them to buy out her contract after only two years.
“I feel like I’ve been taken advantage of,” Mitchell said. “I feel like I’ve been lied to and disrespected. I deserve better than this. I deserve to be treated with respect and fairness.”
The Indiana Fever released a statement in response to Mitchell’s allegations, saying that they would conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and would take any necessary actions to ensure that their players are treated fairly and with respect.
“We take all allegations of this nature seriously and will conduct a thorough investigation into the matter,” the statement read. “We value our players and are committed to providing them with a fair and respectful environment. We will do everything in our power to ensure that our players are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.”
The WNBA also released a statement, saying that they would be monitoring the situation closely and would take any necessary actions to ensure that their players are treated fairly and with respect.
“We are aware of the allegations made by Kelsey Mitchell and will be monitoring the situation closely,” the statement read. “We are committed to ensuring that our players are treated fairly and with respect, and we will take any necessary actions to ensure that this is the case.”
The controversy surrounding Mitchell’s contract is just the latest in a series of off-court issues to affect the WNBA this season. The league has been plagued by controversies over player compensation, marketing, and management, leading some to question its long-term viability.
For now, however, Mitchell remains committed to playing for the Indiana Fever, despite her allegations against the team’s ownership group.
“I love this team,” she said. “I love my teammates. I love our fans. And I’m going to do everything in my power to help us win games and make the playoffs. But I’m not going to do it without standing up for what’s right.”
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