DENARI JOINS TV TEAM; BROADCAST SCHEDULE SET

Indianapolis, Sept. 13, 2006 -

The Indiana Pacers announced their 2006-07 television schedule that will offer 72 regular-season games and two preseason games on the home of Pacers’ basketball, FSN Indiana. The Pacers and FSN Indiana also announced their 2006-07 broadcast team with veteran Indiana broadcaster Chris Denari taking over as play-by-play man.

FSN Indiana tips off the TV schedule Wednesday, Oct. 11, when the Pacers open their preseason in Conseco Fieldhouse against New Jersey (7:00 p.m.). FSN Indiana will also carry the Thursday, Oct. 19, preseason home game against Charlotte (7:00 p.m.).

The regular-season television schedule will begin with the first game of the season, Wednesday, Nov. 1, at Charlotte (7:00 p.m.). That will be the first of 15 games in November, including the home opener against New Orleans/Oklahoma City, Friday, Nov. 3 (7:00 p.m.).

In December, 15 games will be televised, including the Dec. 4 visit to the Los Angeles Lakers (10:30 p.m.). January’s schedule has 10 games with defending world champion Miami’s visit to Conseco Fieldhouse the highlight on Jan. 24 (7:00 p.m.). February’s schedule has the Lakers’ visit to Indianapolis, Feb. 2 (7:00 p.m.) and the return of two former Pacers, Brad Miller and Ron Artest, when Sacramento visits Feb. 25 (8:00 p.m.).

March’s schedule has 14 games, including the team’s second west coast swing at the start of the month (Phoenix, L.A. Clippers, Sacramento, Utah) and a visit to San Antonio, March 21. April has eight games, starting with the Spurs’ visit April 1 and concluding with the regular-season finale, April 18, against Washington in Conseco Fieldhouse.

“We’re excited for the start of a new era in FSN’s partnership with the Indiana Pacers,” said FSN Midwest/FSN Indiana General Manager and Vice President Jack Donovan. “Fans will see more Pacers coverage on FSN Indiana than ever before.”

“We’re very pleased to have a great TV schedule with a great TV partner,” said Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO and President Donnie Walsh. “We believe that, between the pregame show, our game presentation and postgame show, our fans will have an informative, entertaining product.”

Denari, who has handled play-by-play duties on radio and television for the WNBA’s Indiana Fever, will be in his first season as the Pacers’ TV play-by-play man. Denari comes to the Pacers after being Sports Director for WXIN-TV in Indianapolis and handling play-by-play for Butler University basketball as well as working on the Indianapolis 500 and Brickyard 400 Radio Networks. He replaces Al Albert, who, after eight seasons, is pursuing other opportunities.

“I’m grateful to Donnie Walsh and the Pacers’ organization for the privilege of announcing basketball in the Hoosier state,” said Albert. “It has been a pleasure and an honor working with Clark Kellogg, Quinn Buckner, Stacy Paetz and the dedicated and talented TV production crew, headed by Jamie Berns. I will definitely miss them all. I have an opportunity to move forward with a long-time interest in the development of television programming and sports marketing projects. This area has always taken a back seat to the rigors of the active NBA schedule. I wanted to take the time now to devote my full attention to these ventures.

“It has been a memorable eight years for me in Indiana, from the 2000 NBA Finals to the legend of Reggie Miller to the saga of Ron Artest. There was never a dull moment. I’m thankful for working with a great organization, filled with some terrific people and having had the experience of announcing to the wonderful Pacers’ fans.”

Joining Denari on the telecasts will be Clark Kellogg (19th season), Quinn Buckner (10th season), and television host and sideline reporter Stacy Paetz (third season).