Pacers Sports & Entertainment and the Marcus Graham Project Seek Young Professionals for Second Class

KEY POINTS:
•    PS&E and the Marcus Graham Project (MGP) are once again teaming up to give diverse Hoosier young professionals hands-on experience in the sports and entertainment industry.
•    The program offers participants the chance to learn through hands-on experiences, work on meaningful projects across the company, and network with Pacers and Fever leadership. 
•    The application can be found at https://marcusgrahamproject.org/icr8-programs/, and the application deadline is January 6, 2023.
•    MGP was one of the inaugural grantees of the NBA Foundation, which was created in 2020 through ten-year funding committed by each of the League’s thirty owners.

INDIANAPOLIS – For the second consecutive year, Pacers Sports & Entertainment and the Marcus Graham Project (MGP) are teaming up to give talented diverse Hoosiers the chance to gain meaningful experience and network with leadership in Indiana's sports and entertainment industry. Applicants can apply at https://marcusgrahamproject.org/icr8-programs/, and applications are due no later than January 6, 2023.

Tipping off January 24, 2023, the four-day experience will again bring a cohort of dynamic young leaders to PS&E for mentorship, networking, and project-based learning. Twenty-five participants will be selected for this year's program and divided into workshop teams. Each team will be assigned a project brief and asked to come up with a comprehensive solution utilizing all marketing assets made available to them. Projects will focus on different areas of the company, like guest experience, marketing, and more. Projects will then be presented to a panel of guest judges on the last day of the program, and PS&E will select one standout participant to attend MGP's iCR8 Summer BootCamp in Los Angeles.  

“Developing a pipeline of talented and diverse leaders is critical to the future of our industry, our city, and our state, and we are excited to have these incredible young professionals with us for the week,” said Rick Fuson, PS&E President & Chief Operating Officer. “We are grateful to MGP for their partnership, and we are thrilled to once again have them bring their impactful program to PS&E.”

MGP was among the very first grantees to receive support in 2020 from the NBA Foundation, the organization created through $10 million commitments from each of the NBA’s thirty owners to drive economic empowerment in Black communities through employment and career advancement.

"Indiana is home to some of greatest basketball fans in the world and the same goes for the pool of talent in the state. The Marcus Graham Project’s partnership with PS&E is a necessary bridge of access to opportunities and we’ve already witnessed successful outcomes from our first Sports Marketing Workshop,” said Brandon L. Washington, MGP Global Operations Director. “We are beyond excited to be working with PSE as we continue the widening of our pipeline that will train, develop, and place talent into opportunities in the Sports, Media/Entertainment and Creative industry.”

For more information on MGP and their program, visit www.marcusgrahamproject.com

About the Marcus Graham Project
The Marcus Graham Project (MGP) is a network with the intent strategically focused on building the next generation of leadership in the advertising & marketing industry through mentorship & career development. The MGP’s iCR8™ programs are designed to provide diverse aspirants in the field of marketing and media, including advertising, PR & social media with the exposure and experience necessary to solidify careers within the industry. Since founding in 2005, MGP has impacted more than 2,500 members and alumni internationally.