Pacers hire Kelly Krauskopf as first female assistant GM in NBA history

Longtime WNBA executive Kelly Krauskopf is leaving the league’s Indiana Fever franchise to make history in the NBA.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Monday that Krauskopf has been hired as the assistant general manager for the Indiana Pacers. While there are a handful of female executives already in the NBA, she will be the first ever to hold the role of assistant GM. Krauskopf will be working directly with Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard, general manager Chad Buchanan and assistant GM Peter Dinwiddie.

Krauskopf spent 17 years as the president and general manager of the Indiana Fever before relinquishing the GM duties in 2017 to oversee the Pacers’ new esports entry in the NBA2K League. She will no longer be working with the WNBA or esports as she transitions to a full-time role with the Pacers’ front office. Krauskopf has also been part of the selection process for three gold medal-winning USA Basketball women’s Olympic teams.

We recently saw a female interview for an NBA head coaching job for the first time, and Major League Baseball has had two assistant general managers. Krauskopf’s hiring could open the door for other female NBA executives — of which there are currently six — to advance their careers.