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After placing a replica basketball court in the heart of Indianapolis International Airport to celebrate the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, a sequel for July’s WNBA All-Star Game was a slam-dunk certainty.
During Thursday’s unveiling of the WNBA replica court at the airport’s Civic Plaza, Indianapolis Airport Authority Executive Director Mario Rodriguez talked about what was gained from the NBA court—which carried a $45,000 price tag.
Rodriguez said the 2024 court generated the value of $20 million in worldwide earned media, or third-party exposure that isn’t paid for.
“Every time you say ‘Indianapolis’ and ‘Indiana’ in a positive way, it adds to the attractiveness of our state and the economics of our state,” Rodriguez said. “We wanted to make sure that everybody that comes in here, the front door of the community, understands we are tied all the way to downtown. We are incredibly excited about WNBA All-Star and, most importantly, they’ve just stepped into the Indiana Fever’s house.”
To be clear: Impromptu hoops games won’t break out on the court made of pressure-applied vinyl. But the space won’t be dormant.
Activities leading up to the July 19 All-Star Game range from a communal Zumba workout to an exhibition of disc-catching dogs:
- July 8: Zumba on the Court, with sessions scheduled at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. To register to participate, visit daxko.com.
- July 10: Indy Air Bears will present a jump rope show at noon.
- July 11: Kicasso Sneaker Art Bar will host shoe painting from noon to 4 p.m.
- July 12: The Trap Orchestra will perform from noon to 2 p.m.
- July 14: Disc-catching dogs from Ohio-based High Performance Canines will perform at noon.
- July 16: Young at Heart Senior Line Dancers will perform from noon to 2 p.m.
- July 17-19: Music curated by Rodney Stepp, known for his work in Indianapolis-based party band the Flying Toasters and for touring the world in the Spinners’ backing band in the 1970s.
The court, 50 feet wide by 94 feet long, shares design elements with the hardwood court that will be used July 19 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, including 19 stars representing the stars of the Indiana state flag and logos of the WNBA’s 13 teams.
Indianapolis-based Miles Printing printed and installed the court, as it did for the airport’s 2024 NBA All-Star court.
Megan Carrico, senior public affairs director for the Indianapolis Airport Authority, mentioned it took 92 hours of work required to install the court. Carrico also lauded Miles Printing for its achievements as a woman-owned business.
“It’s an honor,” said Wendy Miles Robbins, president and owner of Miles Printing. “Printing traditionally has been a male-dominated industry. For us to not only be able to thrive, but to get involved in the sports arena, is really awesome.”
Rodriguez said the airport is happy to work with local companies.
“Exporting economic impact is not our job,” he told IBJ. “If you’re local, we’re going to hire you. … We want to make sure the money stays here.”
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