Pacers owner Herb Simon, the longest-tenured owner in the National Basketball Association, got his wish: Indianapolis will host another NBA All-Star Game, league sources confirmed to VigilantSports.com.
The official announcement will be made at a 4:00 pm press conference held at Bankers Life Fieldhouse with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, along with Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, Pacers Sports & Entertainment President and COO Rick Fuson, and Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard.
The announcement will be three hours before the Pacers tip-off against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Paul George’s much-anticipated reunion game.
[VIDEO: Pacers discuss Paul George’s return to Indy]
The news was first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Silver previously told VigilantSports.com that ‘The ball is in their court’ for Indy to host All-Star Weekend. That was in April, 2016 when he was at The Fieldhouse to watch the NCAA Women’s Final Four. One year later, the Pacers submitted their proposal.
Indianapolis last hosted the All-Star Game in 1985, and they did so at the Hoosier Dome. It’s all coming full-circle for Fuson. One of his first jobs working for the Pacers was hosting the big game that is estimated to have an economic impact “north of 100 million.”
Outgoing President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird delivered Indy’s proposal to the league offices on April 24, 2017 … and he did so in style. In an IndyCar, of course.
Larry Bird riding down Manhattan in an IndyCar. [Photo: PS&E]
NBA All-Star Weekend Schedule:
- 2018: Los Angeles
- 2019: Charlotte
- 2020: Chicago
- 2021: Indianapolis
[Photo: PS&E]