Bird refutes report that he’s leaving Pacers

CBSSports.com is reporting that Larry Bird is ready to step down as president of the Indiana Pacers, citing sources that say he is “100 percent” certain it’s time to leave.

But the NBA legend has yet to make a decision on his return, USA Today reported. Bird’s contract is up at the end of the season.

“Once again, no decision has been made,” Bird said, according to USA Today. “I’ll sit down with my owner at the end of the season and we’ll talk about things.”

The CBS story cited sources who said Bird told Pacers owner Herb Simon to begin preparing for his exit.

Jim Morris, president of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, said Friday morning that he hoped Bird wasn't going anywhere.

"Larry Bird has done a brilliant job leading the Indiana Pacers the last several years," Morris said. "He laid out a plan and told us what he would do, and he’s done more for us than we could have ever expected. It’s my hope that Larry Bird will be a key piece of the leadership of the Indiana Pacers forever. There’s nobody more important to this franchise than him."

Bird, 55, has been president of the Pacers since 2003.