Rumors are running hot about the future ownership of the Indiana Pacers. The New York Post’s Peter Vecsey mentioned in passing
in his column on Sunday that the Simons have posted a for-sale sign on the team. Who could blame them? The team is last in
the league in attendance and besieged by controversy involving players’ off-court antics. But Herb Simon, who co-owns the
team with his brother, Mel, said through a spokesman this morning that the report is “absolutely not true.”
If the Simons are casting their line for potential buyers, they haven’t told team CEO Donnie Walsh. “This is news to me,” Walsh told IBJ this morning. “I have heard nothing.” Walsh also was quick to point out that he did not talk to Vecsey about the issue. But one must take Vecsey seriously. He’s reported on the NBA for more than 30 years. He was NBC’s main NBA insider analyst in the 1990s, and works for NBA TV. “Peter does have his sources, but I have no idea who he has talked to down here on this,” Walsh said.
Interestingly, Pacers’ management might have known Vecsey’s report was coming. Sources close to the league and team said the Pacers fed The Star a story for last Saturday's edition--one day before Vescey’s report appeared--stating in the lead, “The only thing Herb Simon guaranteed ... about the Indiana Pacers for next season is that he and brother Mel will still be the co-owners of the franchise.” Oddly, the Simons had not been available for media interviews for months prior to that story. And while the Simons have answered select questions, they have refused to address issues concerning the team’s long-range future--namely, who eventually would succeed them as team owners. Mel is 81 years old, while Herb is 73.
Do you think the Simons would sell the Pacers? And how secure do you think the team’s long-range future is in Indianapolis?
If the Simons are casting their line for potential buyers, they haven’t told team CEO Donnie Walsh. “This is news to me,” Walsh told IBJ this morning. “I have heard nothing.” Walsh also was quick to point out that he did not talk to Vecsey about the issue. But one must take Vecsey seriously. He’s reported on the NBA for more than 30 years. He was NBC’s main NBA insider analyst in the 1990s, and works for NBA TV. “Peter does have his sources, but I have no idea who he has talked to down here on this,” Walsh said.
Interestingly, Pacers’ management might have known Vecsey’s report was coming. Sources close to the league and team said the Pacers fed The Star a story for last Saturday's edition--one day before Vescey’s report appeared--stating in the lead, “The only thing Herb Simon guaranteed ... about the Indiana Pacers for next season is that he and brother Mel will still be the co-owners of the franchise.” Oddly, the Simons had not been available for media interviews for months prior to that story. And while the Simons have answered select questions, they have refused to address issues concerning the team’s long-range future--namely, who eventually would succeed them as team owners. Mel is 81 years old, while Herb is 73.
Do you think the Simons would sell the Pacers? And how secure do you think the team’s long-range future is in Indianapolis?
Back to Top
IBJ Conversations
15 Comments
Add Comment
The Pacers need to clean house and get something to hinge some positive hopes on (Eric Gordon would be a start) and eliminate the bad press. It's not that hard to do for a team that had a pristine image for years.
The fans need to relax a bit and say we'll return when things change, but I feel their sentiment that things are bad.
Let's get things straight... THE PACERS AREN'T MOVING ANYWHERE. This is the low, the highs are obvious and the venue and potential fanbase is very positive. The NBA in general is seeing some strange changes in revenue and fan support. This is not an isolated problem. Return a winner and the fans will come back.
This offseason is key to a turnaround.
“The only thing Herb Simon guaranteed … about the Indiana Pacers for next season is that he and brother Mel will still be the co-owners of the franchise.”
ENOUGH SAID.
The Pacers aren't going ANYWHERE. Even if the team were sold, I highly doubt they would abandon the best asset the team has right now, which is the beautiful arena they play in. THIS team already HAS their brand new palace - a facility which is generally regarded as one of, if not THE, best in the world.
No, the problems the Pacers are experiencing right now have nothing to do with their fan base, per se, or the facility in which they play (which is the most common starting point for relocation rumors). As Dr. Dunk said, the problem is with the product. Putting a bad product in a new wrapper isn't going to help sell more of the same old crap! The Simons realize this (I hope) and know that when the product improves, so will the sales. Indiana, and Indy in particular, has a storied basketball tradition with some of the most knowledgeable fans anywhere. When this team is restored, to even a part of its former glory, the fanbase WILL show its appreciation by filling the seats again. Until the necessary changes have occured, however, I wouldn't expect a full house at Conseco anytime soon.
The Simon's are smart people. Indianapolis is the home to the NCAA (the leader in college basketball) and USA Basketball may very well relocate to Indy soon.
This means insider information of the pipeline of basketball talent for recruiting, in addition to guaranteed demand for rent of Conseco Fieldhouse from both organizations. (Simons get Non-Pacer event revenue at the Fieldhouse as part of there deal with the city)
Plus you NEVER buy high and sell low.