The Indiana Fever of the WNBA and the Indiana Pacers of the NBA share more than just a city and a basketball-loving fanbase; they are deeply intertwined. The two teams have the same ownership under Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E), with Herb Simon at the helm, and play their home games in the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. This shared infrastructure fosters a unique bond, creating a unified basketball culture in Indianapolis.
This connection runs deeper than just shared facilities. The two teams actively support each other, fostering a sense of camaraderie that extends from the front office to the players. Kelly Krauskopf, who has held leadership positions with both the Fever and Pacers, embodies this connection. She was the Fever's first general manager and later became the Pacers' assistant general manager, making her the first woman in NBA history to hold such a role. Krauskopf is now the Fever's president of basketball and business operations, further solidifying the ties between the franchises.
The rise of young stars like Caitlin Clark for the Fever and Tyrese Haliburton for the Pacers has amplified this bond, turning Indianapolis into a basketball epicenter. Both players have expressed their desire to stay in Indiana for the entirety of their careers, highlighting the appeal of the city and its passionate fans. Their friendship and mutual respect have further strengthened the connection between the two teams, with both stars frequently supporting each other's games. "Ty and I would both tell you this is where we both hope to stay the rest of our careers," Clark said. Haliburton has also acknowledged the weight and attention Clark faces, showing his support for her.
The shared ownership has also led to collaborative ventures aimed at enhancing the fan experience. PS&E has partnered with Kevin Hart's entertainment company, Hartbeat, to create live events and engaging content that blends basketball, music, comedy, and culture. This partnership, which began with the WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, aims to create a more engaging experience for fans, particularly among Gen Z, who often consume sports through social media and pop culture.
Further solidifying their commitment to the Fever, PS&E is investing $78 million in a state-of-the-art sports performance center for the team. Construction of the three-story, 108,000-square-foot complex is slated to begin in August 2025 and open before the 2027 WNBA season. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett has lauded this investment, noting the unprecedented boom in interest in women's sports. The facility will feature state-of-the-art training amenities, attracting new talent and providing world-class resources for the current roster.
The Fever are also leveraging technology to deepen their engagement with fans. They are deploying Salesforce's Agentforce, Data Cloud, and Marketing Cloud to deliver more personalized experiences. This initiative aims to increase attendance, loyalty, and overall satisfaction by creating comprehensive fan profiles and using AI to automate targeted marketing campaigns. "We are building the most valuable database in professional sports, and this partnership with Salesforce is a significant step in that direction,” said Joey Graziano, EVP, Strategy & New Business Ventures, Pacers Sports & Entertainment.
The Indiana Pacers are currently competing in the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Game 4 resulted in a loss for the Pacers, tying the series 2-2. Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark is set to return to the Fever lineup after recovering from a quad injury, and will face the New York Liberty.
The ties that bind the Indiana Fever and the Indiana Pacers are evident in their shared ownership, collaborative ventures, mutual support, and the rise of stars like Caitlin Clark and Tyrese Haliburton. This deep connection has transformed Indianapolis into a basketball mecca, where both teams thrive and contribute to a vibrant and unified sports culture.
