NOBLESVILLE, IN (May 8, 2023) – Today, the City of Noblesville announced a transformational partnership with Pacers Sports & Entertainment to bring the Mad Ants, the company’s affiliate in the NBA G League, to Noblesville. THE NBA G League is the second most prominent men’s basketball league in the world, behind only the NBA.
The city of Noblesville has announced plans to construct a new arena on the east side of the city to accommodate Pacers Sports & Entertainment and their G League team. The new arena will have a seating capacity of 3,400 and will cover an area of 85,000 square feet. It is expected to be ready for use during the 2024-2025 season, with the team playing at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in the interim. The city and the team are working with local partners to finalize the development and programming of the arena. The new arena will be located near Finch Creek Park, which generates nearly 1 million visits per year. The city expects to attract 65,000 fans annually to Noblesville and Finch Creek for games, which is already the second most visited area in Hamilton County for sports visitors.
Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen expressed his excitement about the partnership with Pacers Sports & Entertainment and the potential benefits it will bring to the community. He stated that partnering with such an impactful organization opens numerous opportunities for the community and drives forward the efforts for a larger sports and entertainment district with enhanced partnerships. The city expects the new arena to draw more visitors to the area and create additional recreational amenities for the community.
The franchise will continue to be known as the Mad Ants until the end of the 2023-2024 season, after which a new mascot will be unveiled. The name Mad Ants, which has a special tie to Fort Wayne, will be retired. Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO Rick Fuson expressed his excitement about the partnership with Noblesville and how it fits into the bold vision for economic development laid out by Mayor Jensen. He also stated that the partnership will enhance player development and strengthen the team’s basketball operations in one of the state’s most vibrant and growing communities.
At the Noblesville Common Council meeting on May 9, a 10-year partnership agreement between the City of Noblesville and Pacers Sports & Entertainment will be presented. The agreement includes $5 million in cash investment from PS&E, which will also lead an effort to secure another $5 million in naming rights and signage over those 10 years, as well as $36.5 million from the city in building the arena.
Noblesville Common Council President Aaron Smith welcomed the new partnership with the Pacers and expressed his excitement about the strategic growth on the east side of the city. He also stated that the administration and council have made proactive, smart investments to assist with the financing of the partnership.
The G League offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. Featuring 30 teams, 28 of which have one-to-one affiliations with NBA franchises, Noblesville will compete in 27 media markets in 21 other states, plus Mexico and Canada. The city of Noblesville has a proud history of being a basketball community, and adding the partnership with the Pacers cements it as a destination for basketball and youth sports.
The city of Noblesville and the Indiana Pacers have announced their plan to construct a 3,400-seat arena in Noblesville, bringing the Pacers’ NBA G League team to the Hamilton County city. The Noblesville Common Council will consider a 10-year partnership agreement between the city government and Pacers Sports & Entertainment. The agreement calls for a $36.5 million investment from the city in building the arena and a $5 million investment from the Pacers. The Pacers will also work to secure another $5 million in naming rights and signage over ten years. The arena would be built at Finch Creek Park, southeast of Boden Road and East 166th Street on the city’s east side. The new arena could open during the 2024-2025 season, and the team would play at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis in the meantime. The city government expects to attract 65,000 fans annually just for the league’s games. The plan also includes a new mascot in the 2024-2025 season.
“We are excited to welcome Pacers Sports & Entertainment to Noblesville along with the players, coaches and staff of the G League team. The Pacers are an iconic brand with deep roots in central Indiana. Partnering with such an impactful organization opens numerous opportunities for our community and drives forward our efforts for a larger sports and entertainment district with enhanced partnerships.”
“We are working with the Pacers and other partners on programming options for the arena on days it is not used by the Pacers. The facility would be available for events like IHSAA tournaments and competitions, concerts, conferences, corporate events and graduations. Further steps are being taken to finalize development and programming partners, which may also incorporate additional project features and recreational amenities.”
“Fifty-four percent of NBA players have G League experience. Noblesville will compete in 27 media markets in 21 other states, plus Mexico and Canada. Noblesville also has a proud history of being a basketball community, including 1998 Mr. Basketball Tom Coverdale and the 2022 Millers Girls Basketball State Champions. Adding our partnership with the Pacers only cements us as a destination for basketball and youth sports.”
Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen
“The G League is world-class basketball, and PS&E is proud to bring that to Noblesville as we strengthen our basketball operations and enhance player development in one of the state’s most vibrant and growing communities. We are excited about the way this partnership fits into the bold vision for economic development Mayor Jensen has laid out, and we can’t wait to continue growing our NBA and G League fan base right here in Hamilton County.”
Rick Fuson, chief executive officer, Pacers Sports & Entertainment
“We welcome the new partnership with the Pacers. The administration and council have made proactive, smart investments to assist with the financing of this partnership. We are excited to continue the strategic growth on the east side of our city and provide a new attraction for our residents and guests.”
Aaron Smith, president, Noblesville Common Council
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