Breaking News: Coach Stephanie White and Indiana Fever Donate $43 Million to Support Victims and Rescue Teams After Catastrophic Texas Flash Floods — 68 Confirmed Dead, Including 28 Children

In a moment that transcends sports and speaks to the deepest values of humanity, Coach Stephanie White and the Indiana Fever have pledged an extraordinary $43 million to aid victims and first responders affected by the devastating flash floods in Texas. The natural disaster has left 68 confirmed dead, including 28 innocent children, and dozens more are still missing as search and rescue operations continue.

This act of compassion has not only stunned the WNBA community but has also touched the hearts of people around the nation. Coach White’s decision, made in coordination with Fever ownership and players, sends a powerful message: compassion knows no boundaries — not of geography, not of profession, and certainly not of heart.

“Basketball has given us a platform,” Coach White said through tears during a press conference Tuesday morning. “But today isn’t about the game. It’s about lives. It’s about doing what’s right when people are suffering.”

The Floods That Stunned Texas

The flash floods, caused by record-breaking rainfall across parts of central and eastern Texas, swept through residential neighborhoods, schools, and public infrastructure with terrifying speed. Entire communities were swallowed in minutes. Vehicles, homes, and families were torn apart. Emergency responders described scenes of “unimaginable chaos.”

Of the 68 confirmed fatalities, the heartbreak is heaviest around the 28 children who lost their lives — many separated from family members during the rising waters. Hundreds remain in shelters, and many are still unaccounted for as search dogs, helicopters, and emergency teams continue to comb through flooded streets and debris-covered neighborhoods.

Governor Greg Abbott called it “one of the darkest days in Texas history,” while FEMA officials have classified the flooding as a Level 1 federal emergency.

A Team United in Action

Coach White, who has been praised for her leadership both on and off the court, first learned of the disaster while the Indiana Fever were en route to an away game. Reports suggest she immediately contacted team management and players to discuss how they could help — not tomorrow, not next week, but now.

What followed was a unanimous decision to donate $43 million from a combination of team revenue, personal player contributions, corporate sponsors, and private matching funds. The donation will be directed to a coalition of humanitarian organizations, including:

• Texas Search & Rescue (TEXSAR)

• The American Red Cross

• Feeding Texas

• Save the Children Emergency Fund

• Local animal rescue efforts and mobile shelter clinics

  
  

The funds will cover a wide range of urgent needs, including search equipment, medical supplies, emergency shelter, food, clean water, trauma counseling, and the rebuilding of child care facilities that were destroyed.

“These Families Deserve More Than Our Prayers”

Speaking directly to the media, Fever team captain Aliyah Boston echoed the sentiment that led to the donation:

“As athletes, we play to win. But this isn’t about winning. It’s about standing for something greater than ourselves. Those children — those families — they deserve more than just our prayers. They deserve action.”

She later added, “Coach White taught us to be leaders off the court. Today, we followed her example.”

A Ripple Effect Across Sports

Within hours of the announcement, teams from across the WNBA, NBA, and even international leagues responded. The Dallas Wings pledged an additional $5 million to rebuilding local schools. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert released a statement commending the Fever for “redefining what it means to lead in sports.”

Social media exploded with messages of support. The hashtag #FeverForTexas trended worldwide, with fans sharing stories of how the donation inspired them to donate, volunteer, or simply hug their children a little tighter.

One Twitter user wrote:

“I’ve always loved the Fever. Today, I love them even more. They didn’t just show up — they stepped up.”

A Legacy Beyond the Game

This is not the first time Coach Stephanie White has turned leadership into legacy. From her days as a standout player to her current position as one of the most respected coaches in women’s basketball, she has consistently championed community, empathy, and resilience.

But this gesture — this $43 million act of love — may well be the most enduring mark she leaves on the world.

“I can’t imagine the pain these families are going through,” she said, holding back emotion. “But I can promise them this: they are not forgotten. And we will be here — long after the headlines fade.”

More Than a Game

In a world too often divided by politics, race, and privilege, the Indiana Fever have reminded us that humanity comes first. That when the storm hits, and the waters rise, what matters most is how we respond.

Thanks to Stephanie White and her team, thousands of lives will be touched — not just with aid, but with dignity.

And in that, they’ve scored something far more meaningful than any victory on the court. They’ve delivered hope.