Nancy Leonard, matriarch of the Indiana Pacers, dies at 93

(Photo courtesy Indiana Pacers)

Nancy Leonard, who played an instrumental role in keeping the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis after the franchise moved from the American Basketball Association to the National Basketball Association, died Tuesday at age 93, her family announced.

Leonard, the widow of former Pacers coach, general manager and broadcaster Bobby “Slick” Leonard, has been called the matriarch of the Pacers and the “First Lady of Indiana basketball.”

Nancy Leonard served as the Pacers’ assiatant general manager from 1976 to 1980, working alongside then-coach Bobby Leonard, who died in 2021.

Nancy was a critical do-it-all, behind-the-scenes administrative figure for much of the Pacers’ ABA years from 1967 to 1976, then took the title of assistant GM when the team joined the NBA, with her husband keeping the titles of GM and coach.

It was the Nancy Leonard who is credited with the idea and the organization of a telethon in 1977 to sell enough season tickets to keep the Pacers afloat when the franchise was on the verge of financial ruin. The telethon led to the sale of 8,000 season tickets.

“We are heartbroken to hear of Nancy Leonard’s passing,” Pacers Sports & Entertainment and Simon family said in a statement Wednesday. “Quite simply, we would not be here without her. From the earliest days of the franchise, Nancy poured her heart and soul into the team, not just as the wife of Slick Leonard, but as a female trailblazer who rallied the community when we needed it the most.

“From organizing the now-legendary telethon that helped save the team to being a constant presence courtside as a true superfan, her passion for the organization made her beloved by generations of players, alumni and staff. She will always be part of the Pacers family and her legacy will continue to shape who we are. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Leonard family and all who were touched by Nancy’s remarkable life.”

Leonard has continued to stay involved with the team over the years, including attending games during the Pacers’ run to the seventh game of the NBA Finals earlier this year.

“The First Lady of Indiana basketball,” Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton posted on social media. “Before every game, I knew I could count on a wink and a smile behind the bench. There is no Pacers basketball without Nancy Leonard. Can’t wait to see the day her name is in the rafters where it belongs. RIP to a legend and a beautiful soul.”