The Pacers and the city of Indianapolis have agreed to a deal for the team to stay in the city for the next quarter-century. Thanks to nearly $800 million in public money, the Blue and Gold aren't going anywhere anytime soon:
While I'm always hesitant about public money being funneled to pro sports franchises, it's good to know that the Pacers will stay while Bankers Life Fieldhouse continues to get the occasional facelifts it needs to remain a world class facility.
The most intriguing part of this deal is the plan for a new plaza along Penn, where they can host pre-game (or pre-concert) events and perhaps even have an ice rink/basketball court.
Senate Bill 7, which is creating ways to fund all of this, passed through the Indiana House yesterday and will now head to the Senate. If you remember, the Indy Eleven complex (which includes a stadium for the soccer club) is attached to that proposal.