 the indiana fever is a professional basketball team based in indianapolis, indiana, playing in the eastern conference in the women's national basketball association (wnba). the team was founded before the 2000 season began. the team is owned by herb simon, who also owns the fever's nba counterpart, the indiana pacers and simon malls. the fever has qualified for the wnba playoffs in eleven of its fifteen years in indiana. the franchise has been home to many high-quality players such as tennessee standout tamika catchings, hometown favorite katie douglas, and australian defensive specialist tully bevilaqua. in 2009, the fever went to the wnba finals but fell short to phoenix. on october 21, 2012, the fever won the wnba championship with a win over the minnesota lynx. tamika catchings was named the series mvp. ==franchise history== ===catching the fever (2000â2004)=== thumb|left|lobby of bankers life fieldhousethe indiana fever team began in 2000, when the state was granted an expansion franchise to coincide with the opening of bankers life fieldhouse. in their first two seasons, they were coached by women's basketball legends anne donovan and nell fortner. led by center kara wolters, in their inaugural campaign the team posted a record of 9â23. the fever drafted university of tennessee star tamika catchings in the 2001 wnba draft. the fever went into the year with high expectations of a playoff berth, but catchings tore her acl during a college game and missed the entire wnba season. the fever posted a 10â22 record in 2001. after missing the entire 2001 season, the 2002 season proved to be the breakout season for tamika catchings and the fever. catchings came out strong and became one of the most versatile players in the wnba, easily winning rookie of the year honors as well as making the
Basketball_clubs_established_in_2000 Basketball_teams_in_Indiana Indiana_Fever Sports_in_Indianapolis,_Indiana Women\'s_National_Basketball_Association_teams