Rick Fuson

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President & COO Mel Raines will become CEO, while President & Chief Commercial Officer Todd Taylor will become President for Business Operations

INDIANAPOLIS – Rick Fuson, Pacers Sports & Entertainment Chief Executive Officer, announced today that, effective June 18, he will retire as CEO. Fuson, who joined PS&E in June of 1984 as Director of Special Events, moved into the CEO role at the beginning of 2022 after serving as President and Chief Operating Officer since 2014.

Fuson will remain advisor to owner and chairman Herb Simon, while Mel Raines, PS&E’s President and COO since 2022, will take over as CEO beginning in June.

“Nobody cares more deeply for this company, our people, or this city than Rick, and that above all is what has made him such a transformational leader and effective advocate for four decades,” said Simon. “Rick rose through the company, approached every role with enthusiasm and loyalty, and grew into one of the very best in this industry, and I am so proud of him and so grateful for his years of incredible work and friendship.”

Fuson’s 40-year career at PS&E was bookended by NBA All-Star experiences. In 1984, he was hired by new Pacers owners Herb and Melvin Simon and Pacers president Bob Salyers to help plan and execute the 1985 NBA All-Star Game that drew more than 40,000 fans to the Hoosier Dome, a record for that annual game that stood until 2010. Fuson led the charge to bring NBA All-Star back to Indianapolis in 2021 (now 2024), overseeing planning as Chair of the Board of Directors of the NBA All-Star 2024 Host Committee.

Fuson’s time in PS&E executive leadership included the Pacers’ move to one of the NBA’s most iconic venues. In 1999, he helped lead the design and construction of Conseco Fieldhouse (now Gainbridge Fieldhouse), managed the organization’s transition to their new home, and subsequently oversaw, along with Raines, the Fieldhouse of Future renovations completed last year. That project is the second-largest renovation project in NBA history.

“My entire career has been, in some form or fashion, an effort to leave my city and state a stronger and more inclusive place than I inherited it, and I am so fortunate to have spent four decades working for and alongside amazing people who share that commitment,” said Fuson. “Herb Simon and the Simon family have given me the opportunity to help lead this company and grow Indianapolis, and words could never express my gratitude to them. I’m looking forward to watching Mel and the staff excel and find new ways to grow the impact PS&E can make, on and off the court.”

Fuson’s passion for leveraging the power of basketball to create lasting community impact and social justice has pushed PS&E to be more intentional with its resources and partnerships in support of important causes. He has long championed the notion that success is measured as much by what happens on the court as off it, a concept that has become a core aspect of the company’s mission. As chair of the Pacers Foundation, additionally, Fuson guided the organization through a reimaging of its priorities and strategic focus following the social unrest of 2020.

While Fuson’s vision has helped shape PS&E’s growth for several decades, a critical piece of his legacy will undoubtedly be his leadership during some of the most important large events the city has hosted. As Indianapolis looked to use sports as a strategy to build brand and grow the local economy during the 1980s, for example, Fuson was part of the core leadership team who delivered the 1987 Pan Am Games, producing the event’s closing ceremonies. Similarly, Fuson helped plan and execute the 2002 FIBA World Championships and 2004 FINA World Swimming Championships at Conseco Fieldhouse, two big global events that showcased the city for an international audience.

Additionally, Fuson co-chaired special events for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Fours in 1991, 1997, and 2000; produced the Opening Ceremonies for the 2002 World Police & Fire Games; and served on the Local Organizing Committee for the 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008-2012, and 2014 Big Ten Basketball Championships. Moreover, Fuson co-chaired the 2012 Super Bowl Village Committee, an effort that set a new standard for the NFL and has become a model for NFL host cities since.

Fuson served as the immediate past chair of the Indiana Sports Corp., the first organization of its kind anywhere in the nation and a group of which he has been a member for his entire career. During Fuson’s time atop the ISC board, the organization hosted the entirety of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, a feat requiring immense coordination across multiple local, state, and national organizations. He was a key member of the local organizing committee and, together with a small group of local leaders, helped deliver a historic event that made Indianapolis the center of the basketball universe.

“People from around the country marveled at how Indianapolis could creatively preserve so many of the elements that make college basketball in March special,” Fuson said of the event. “That simply does not happen by accident.”

Simply put, he has been central to the successful execution of so many of them, and as a result has had a substantial impact on Indy’s evolution into the best city in America for live sports and entertainment.

“At a time when many organizations were retreating, Rick and then-president Ryan Vaughn kept focused on the opportunity this presented our city and state,” said Julie Roe Lach, Commissioner of the Horizon League and chair of the ISC. “Rick’s leadership and passion were key to making it happen, and it’s that same leadership he has shown for decades as an advocate for women and minorities in the sports&nbsp; industry, greater investment in the community, and support for the city he loves.”

In addition, Fuson has left an indelible mark on the city and state he loves through his service on so many of the boards and commissions created to serve Hoosiers. His roles as a longtime executive board member of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, the Indiana Repertory Theater, the Indianapolis Urban League, Visit Indy, and the Downtown Indy Inc. have put him squarely at the center of the city’s evolution into a global center for live sports and entertainment, arts and culture, and business. Most importantly to Fuson, though, they have given him an important voice in advocating for the causes about which he cares most.

Fuson has been a tireless advocate for causes of social justice, community engagement, and racial equality, something he has ensured is reflected throughout the company. In 2022, he hired PS&E’s first-ever senior leader for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and has actively promoted greater diversity as a key point of emphasis across the organization. He has reinforced that component of PS&E’s community-focused mission, as well, with the result being greater intentionality across all community investment.

In a 2020 WRTV interview highlighting PS&E’s social justice agenda he helped create, Fuson said, “One of the most critical things we can do is to ensure we are keeping these important issues front and center in our community.”

Fuson has been a recipient of several prestigious awards over his career, recognitions that highlight the impact he has had in the sports and entertainment industry and beyond. He was recognized in 2023 by Indiana University College of Arts & Sciences as their Distinguished Alumnus and, in 2021 he was commended by the national Sports Business Journal in their special section honoring Leaders in Diversity and Inclusive Hiring.

He has also received other important recognitions, including the Indianapolis Ambassadors 1988 Community Service Award; the “Indiana 250,” “Who’s Who in Hospitality”, “Who’s Who in Sports,” and “Forty Under Forty” from the Indianapolis Business Journal; and more.

Finally, Fuson is passionate about cultivating the next generation of leaders in Indianapolis, something he has dedicated considerable time to. Over the past five years, he served as moderator for Stanley K. Lacy Leadership Program, was a mentor for the Indiana Latino Institute’s Leadership Circle, and was the inaugural class leader for the Kennedy-King Marvelous Potential Program designed to support young leaders of color in neighborhoods around Indianapolis.

“Rick wears his heart on his sleeve, never afraid to speak out for the things he believes in and always willing to stand firm for the causes that move our community forward,” said Carolene Mays, local leader and advocate, former Indiana State Representative, and immediate past executive director of the White River State Park. “His sincerity, passion, and relentless optimism about the future of our state is contagious, and few have had the impact he has on our city.”

Over the coming months, Raines will transition to her new role as PS&E’s CEO. A native of South Bend, she joined the company in 2015 after having led operations and government relations for the 2012 Super Bowl in Indianapolis, and she brings more than 30 years of senior level event operations, legislative, political, corporate, and public affairs experience. She served as Chief of Staff to Indiana Congresswoman Susan Brooks, was assistant to United States Vice President Dick Cheney, was COO and senior advisor for six national presidential conventions and started her career in U.S. Senator Dan Coats office.

In her current role, she oversees facility operations and management, human resources, IT, corporate communications, community engagement, merchandise and construction for the company. Additionally, Raines, selected as a 2021 Game Changer by the national Sports Business Journal, serves as the President of the 2024 NBA All-Star Local Organizing Committee and is responsible for bringing next month’s global event to life. She also managed the three-year, $400 million dollar renovation to Gainbridge Fieldhouse completed in 2022.

Todd Taylor, PS&E’s President and Chief Commercial Officer, will move into a new role as President, Business Operations, overseeing the business aspects of PS&E’s various brands. Taylor came to PS&E in 2011 and has spent a 30-year career leading ticket sales, marketing, and retail operations across the sports industry. In 2011, Taylor was named to the SportsBusiness Journal’s “Forty Under 40” list which identifies and recognizes the most influential sports executives under the age of 40.

Currently, Taylor is responsible for ticket sales, corporate partnerships, broadcast, game operations, analytics, promotions, branding, advertising and interactive marketing. Additionally, he has oversight of the business operations for PS&E’s G League franchise, the Mad Ants, as well as Pacers Gaming, their NBA 2K team.

“Rick has been forward-thinking in mentoring and preparing the next generation of company leadership, and Mel has the temperament, talent, and experience to take PS&E to the next level” said Steve Simon, PS&E Owner and Alternate Governor. “For years, she and Todd have been working to strengthen our business, leading innovation, and finding new ways to engage and develop our talent, and I’m looking forward to continuing to work alongside them.”

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Rick Fuson, Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO, Announces He Will Retire in June

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INDIANAPOLIS – Pacers Sports & Entertainment announced today several promotions and key changes on the business side of the organization that will take effect January 1, 2022.

"One of the remarkable characteristics of our organization is the caliber of people we are fortunate to have, and the transitions we announce today strengthen the leadership of the company and position PS&E for continued success into the future," said PS&E Owner Herb Simon.

Last week, the organization announced Tracy Ellis-Ward as PS&E's first Senior Vice President for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. In that role, Ellis-Ward will lead the development and execution of the company’s DEI strategy and will report directly to Fuson.

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Pacers Sports & Entertainment Announces Key Promotions and Transitions

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Slick Leonard Celebration of Life: Rick Fuson Speech

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INDIANAPOLIS - Rick Fuson, Pacers Sports & Entertainment President and Chief Operating Officer, has been elected chairman of the Indiana Sports Corp Board of Directors. Fuson becomes the eighth chairman of the board since Indiana Sports Corp's inception in 1979. Jennifer Pope Baker, Executive Director of the Women's Fund of Central Indiana, was elected as Vice Chair. After serving nearly seven years as board chairman, Scott Dorsey will remain on the board and assume the role of immediate past chairman.

"Rick and Jennifer are exceptional leaders in our community and we are excited they have agreed to take an expanded role with Indiana Sports Corp as our Board Chair and Vice Chair," said Ryan Vaughn, Indiana Sports Corp president. "As our organization strives to fulfill our mission each and every day, we rely on the community-minded individuals who comprise our board to play a significant part in our success. We are grateful for the strong leadership Scott has shown our organization the past seven years and look forward to the impact Rick and Jennifer will have in these new roles."

In his current role at Pacers Sports & Entertainment, Fuson is responsible for operations of all aspects of the business and facilities elements. Through his more than 30 years in the sports industry, Fuson has been active in pursuing major events for Bankers Life Fieldhouse and the City of Indianapolis. Fuson held management and committee roles in numerous impactful community events, including the 2012 Super Bowl Village Committee, 2002 FIBA World Basketball Championships, 1987 Pan American Games, five NCAA Final Fours, numerous Big Ten Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments, among others. Fuson currently serves as the Founding Chair of the Local Organizing Committee Board of Directors for the 2021 NBA All-Star.

"I am absolutely thrilled to serve as Board Chairman of Indiana Sports Corp," commented Rick Fuson, President and COO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment. "I started working with Indiana Sports Corp in 1984, so I know firsthand the outstanding work ISC does in our community and I look forward to working with the vast network of supporters to continue making our city and state a great place to live, work and play. The sports strategy for Indianapolis designed nearly 40 years ago has worked fantastically and continues to provide millions of dollars of economic impact today."

Under Baker's leadership, the Women's Fund has become the expert resource for issues impacting women and girls in central Indiana and a leader in seeking solutions in helping emerging adult women move from economic instability to economic security. Baker is active in many volunteer roles throughout the city, currently serving in her third year as the Local Organizing Committee Chair for the Indy Women in Tech Championship driven by Group1001. She is also a longtime Indiana Sports Corp volunteer formerly serving on local organizing committees for the P&G Gymnastics Championships and multiple NCAA Women's Final Fours in addition being an Executive Committee member for Indy's Super Cure and NFL Team Liaison for Super Bowl XLVI.

"I have enjoyed the opportunity to serve as a volunteer in a wide variety of ways for Indiana Sports Corp over the past twenty-nine years and am excited to continue my service in this new way," said Jennifer Pope Baker, Executive Director of the Women's Fund of Central Indiana. "I highly respect and admire Ryan Vaughn and the talented staff of Indiana Sports Corp and I look forward to working with Rick Fuson and the rest of the Board of Directors to continue to elevate the reputation of Indianapolis as the sports event capital of the world."

Fuson and Baker join the following members of the Indiana Sports Corp Executive Committee: Scott Dorsey (High Alpha), Cindy Simon-Skjodt (Samerian Foundation), Steve Sanner (Jiffy Lube of Indiana), Dennis Dye (Shiel Sexton), Andy Conner (JP Morgan Chase), Tag Birge (Cornerstone Companies), Kathleen McNeely (NCAA), Ryan Kitchell (Indiana University Health), Ed Bonach (CNO Financial Group, Inc.), Karin Sarratt (OneAmerica), Ted Boehm (Hoover Hull Turner), Dr. Phil Borst (Shelby Street Animal Clinic), Michael Browning (Browning Investments, Inc.), Earl Goode (State of Indiana), Tom King, Sandy Knapp (SK Consulting), Carolene Mays-Medley (White River State Park Development Commission), George McGinnis (GM Supply Co.) and Jim Morris (Pacers Sports & Entertainment).

In addition to changes in leadership, John Hammond IV also joins the Indiana Sports Corp Board of Directors representing the State of Indiana.

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Rick Fuson Elected Indiana Sports Corp Chairman of the Board

The 2021 NBA All-Star Game may still be three years away, but preparations for the weekend are already well underway.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced on Dec. 13 that the league chose Indianapolis to host its 70th All-Star Game, the first time the event will be held in the Circle City since 1985. In the ensuing months, Indianapolis leaders have joined forces to create the 2021 NBA All-Star Local Organizing Committee to plan for hosting the NBA's signature event.

Pacers Sports & Entertainment President and COO Rick Fuson serves as chairman of the committee. The four co-chairs of the committee are Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever legend and current PS&E Director of Player Programs and Franchise Development), Cindy Simon Skjodt (philanthropist and niece of Pacers owner Herb Simon), Aasif Bade (President of Ambrose Property Group), and Rafael Sanchez (President and CEO of Indianapolis Power & Light Company).

That group headed to Los Angeles this weekend to observe and participate in All-Star festivities, gathering insight as they prepare for Indianapolis' turn as host city. Steve Simon and other members of the Local Organizing Committee joined them on the trip.

A similar contingent attended All-Star festivities in Toronto in 2016 and New Orleans in 2017 as the Pacers prepared their bid to the league. The newly-formed committee will also have a presence in Charlotte next year and Chicago in 2020.

"Everybody does things a little bit differently," Fuson said. "And everything that we can pick up — when it comes to signage or some hospitality thing that they do or the transportation or how they treat people in the hotels — it makes it a little easier for us to say, 'Okay, let's elevate to that program' or 'Let's beat it by one more step.'"

No one played a more important role in Indianapolis being awarded the 2021 All-Star Game than Herb Simon. As the NBA's longest-tenured owner, Simon was the driving force behind the franchise deciding to bid on the game.

Pacers co-owner Steve Simon said it was especially important for his father to get the NBA "to shine a light on the city of Indianapolis" after all the city has done for him.

The Simon family continues to play an active role in the planning process for 2021.

"There's incredible excitement, but it's also nerve-wracking, too, because every year at the All-Star Game, the bar is raised higher and higher," Steve Simon said.

"We do big events as well as anyone, so I think we're all confident we're going to raise the bar and bring an incredible event with great activation and great energy. But there's a lot of work left to do."

Fuson said he considers his four co-chairs a "dream team," with each member bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge from a variety of backgrounds.

Simon Skjodt, for instance, worked side-by-side with Fuson when Indianapolis last hosted the All-Star Game in 1985. Much like the city of Indianapolis, the event has grown tremendously over the past three decades, but the lessons learned from that experience still can provide value.

"I think the key is to have really good people," Simon Skjodt said.

That description most certainly applies to Catchings, who herself is no stranger to All-Star Weekend, having represented the Fever and the WNBA in a number of All-Star events over the years.

That experience has allowed Catchings to share insight about what makes for a good host city. She learned firsthand just how exhausting the weekend can be for players, who have numerous commitments between the All-Star events, media obligations, sponsorship appearances, and community service events.

In Catchings' opinion, Indianapolis is naturally a perfect fit with a compact and walkable downtown area, with most of the major hotels, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, the Indiana Convention Center, and Lucas Oil Stadium separated by a half-mile or less.

Serving on this committee is a new role for Catchings, one of several committee members who Fuson said represent "a new generation of leaders in our town."

"I'm extremely excited to be representing Pacers Sports & Entertainment and the Fever and the Pacers," Catchings said. "It's not just NBA All-Star, the WNBA and the G League will be represented, as well. I think that's where my level of excitement is, being able to join forces with all of our organizations and put on a show."

This was the first time Sanchez attended All-Star Weekend, but he's no stranger to putting on big events. Sanchez served on the Indianapolis Super Bowl host committee in 2012, an experience that he said helps him "understand the big picture" of all it takes to host a major sports event.

For Sanchez, spending time in Los Angeles has provided invaluable insights into understanding everything that goes into hosting the All-Star Game.

"There's no substitute to seeing and participating and doing it yourself to just kind of visualize how would this work in Indianapolis," Sanchez said.

Bade, another first-time All-Star attendee, marveled at the scope of what transpires at the annual basketball showcase.

The committee attended numerous events while in Los Angeles, including the NBA Cares Day of Service at the LA Regional Food Bank, the Rising Stars Challenge, the Newsmaker Breakfast, All-Star Media Day and Practice, All-Star Saturday Night, the Legends Brunch, and the All-Star Game.

"Obviously as a fan, you're aware of the three or four things that are on TV," Bade said. "But I've been amazed in terms of all of the things going on behind the scenes and the reach that the NBA has…It's unbelievable the reach of the NBA and the WNBA. That's probably been the most eye-opening part."

When they return to Indianapolis, the committee members will compare notes from their time in Los Angeles and continue formulating a vision for what Indianapolis can do to push the envelope in 2021. But each member expressed extreme confidence in the city's ability to put on a great show, citing a long and successful history of hosting major events, including the 2012 Super Bowl and numerous Final Fours.

In fact, the 2021 All-Star Game will be part of a remarkable run for downtown Indianapolis, which in a 13-month span will host two Big Ten football championship games (in Dec. 2020 and 2021), the NBA All-Star Game (Feb. 2021), the Big Ten women's basketball tournament (March 2021), the NCAA men's Final Four (April 2021), and the College Football Playoff National Championship Game (Jan. 2022).

"It's embedded in our DNA," Sanchez said. "I think families come out and support it, they get behind it. People want to volunteer. There's all kinds of public/private partnerships.

"There's so much tremendous opportunity and I think it's just embedded at this point in the Indianapolis culture to put on high-caliber events with exceptional customer service and exceptional engagement from people from all backgrounds. It's what makes our city great."

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Indianapolis Committee Attends All-Star Weekend to Gather Insights for 2021

A statement from Pacers Sports & Entertainment President Rick Fuson regarding Bankers Life Fieldhouse security measures:

"Pacers Sports & Entertainment extends its most-heartfelt sympathies to the victims and their families of the horrific and senseless violence that occurred in Las Vegas Sunday night. Bankers Life Fieldhouse has no higher priority than the safety of its guests before, during and after events. The tragic incident in Las Vegas caused Bankers Life Fieldhouse to automatically and immediately enhance its already stringent security standards which include those seen by the public and many others not in public view.  We continue to work closely with local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to monitor any threat and will continue vigilant measures to any extent necessary. We do ask that those who attend events here and elsewhere be cognizant of their surroundings and to say something if they see something and immediately report any suspicious activity to a staff member or law enforcement official."

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Statement Regarding Bankers Life Fieldhouse Security Measures

The NBA All-Star Game could be making a long-awaited return to Indianapolis in the near future.

Representatives from Pacers Sports & Entertainment, the Indiana Sports Corp, and Visit Indy traveled to New Orleans for the 2017 All-Star Weekend to gather information for a possible bid for Indianapolis to host the All-Star Game in 2021.

Pacers owner Herb Simon has expressed strong interest in bringing the All-Star Game back to the city, which last hosted the event in 1985 at the Hoosier Dome.

"We have a great building, we're in our 18th year at Bankers Life Fieldhouse," said Rick Fuson, Pacers Sports & Entertainment President and COO. "It's time to bring the NBA world back to Indianapolis."

The NBA is currently accepting bids for both the 2020 and 2021 All-Star Games. The Pacers' bid would be for 2021, as that year is the best fit for the city when considering future convention commitments. It is also the next year that the city is scheduled to host the men's Final Four, meaning that the Circle City could possibly host the two biggest single-city annual basketball events in the world in the span of six weeks.

In preparation for a possible bid, a number of high-ranking officials made the trip to New Orleans. That group includes Fuson and Senior Vice President of Facilities Operations Mel Raines; Indiana Sports Corp President Ryan Vaughn and Senior Vice President Susan Baughman; and Visit Indy President Leonard Hoops, Vice President Susie Townsend, and Frank Short. A similar contingent also traveled to Toronto for last year's All-Star Game.

That group has been diligently researching everything it takes to pull off a successful All-Star Weekend. From the marquee events like the Rising Stars Challenge and All-Star Saturday Night all the way down to the minutiae of coordinating transportation schedules and plotting out the distribution of signage across the city, the Indianapolis representatives have been documenting it all for a possible bid.

"I think we learned how big it is," Fuson said. "Because it is big. And not only all the official events, but the 'unoffical events,' whether it be parties or sponsors who do things. Thinking about looking at all the different places that you'll have to find for all these folks and partners coming (to the city), it's a big task."

Given the scale of the event, it was particularly important that the Pacers have support from the rest of the city before they began the process of exploring making a bid.

"We can't do it without them," Raines said. "It's absolutely a partnership...Visit Indy and the Indiana Sports Corp and the CIB and the governor and the mayor, all of those partners, we can't be successful in hosting these kind of events without everybody being in 150 percent."

One of the strongest components of an Indianapolis bid would be the city's long and highly successful history in hosting large events, from the 1987 Pan American Games to the 2012 Super Bowl to numerous Finals Fours. Each of those events involved citywide collaboration and cooperation, something that Indianapolis prides itself on.

"There's a lot of good cities in the country, but I don't think there's a better event city than Indianapolis," Fuson said.

In addition, Simon has a strong relationship with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. When the Pacers played in the 2017 NBA Global Games in London, Silver expressed his admiration and respect for Simon — the league's longest tenured owner, having bought the team with his brother Melvin in 1983 — and told the media that Indianapolis "should be on the top of list" to host a future All-Star Game if Simon and the franchise chose to submit a bid.

Still, Indianapolis is far from the only city in the running for the 2021 All-Star Game. About a dozen teams have expressed interest in hosting All-Star Weekend in 2020 and/or 2021. For that reason, Fuson said that the Pacers would need to be "competitive" in their bid.

The number of teams interested in hosting the All-Star Game is growing, and for good reason.

"The economic development, the impact — just walking around here the last couple of days, it's massive," Raines said. "The restaurants are full, the hotels are full, people are shopping, sponsors are doing big events. It's really a great thing to go after and if it wasn't, so many teams wouldn't be bidding for it."

Fuson added that data shows that the economic impact of the weekend for the host city is estimated around $100 million.

The deadline to submit a bid to the league is in the spring. The host cities for both 2020 and 2021 could be announced before the start of the 2017-18 regular season.

The Pacers have not submitted a bid yet, but there is substantial enthusiasm about the possibility of bringing the event back to Indianapolis in 2021.

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Pacers Preparing for Probable All-Star Bid

Basketball is Indiana's game. On Saturday, Dec. 10, fans can celebrate the state's unmatched passion for the sport on Basketball Day in Indiana, a new event announced today by FOX Sports Indiana, the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever.

Basketball Day in Indiana will feature five games – from high school through the NBA – played across Indianapolis. From the start at 9 a.m. through the final wrap fans will see 13 hours of continuous live coverage featuring three marquee high school matchups, Butler's non-conference game against Cincinnati at Hinkle Fieldhouse, and the Pacers taking on Portland at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. FOX Sports Indiana will televise all five games, along with content chronicling the history of basketball in Indiana.

FOX Sports Indiana will broadcast live throughout the day from a set on Georgia Street in Downtown Indianapolis outside Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Fans are invited to watch the live broadcast and take part in shooting contests on a temporary basketball court on the street.

"We expect Basketball Day in Indiana to become an annual event," said FOX Sports Indiana senior vice president and general manager Jack Donovan. "Indiana has such a rich basketball tradition. Basketball Day in Indiana is a full day dedicated to celebrating the sport."

"Bankers Life Fieldhouse, the Pacers and the Fever are delighted to participate in a day that will so well capture the essence of all that Indiana basketball is and represents," said Rick Fuson, President and COO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment. "We hope you can attend at least one of the games but if not, grab the popcorn and make it a day and night of Hoosier hoops on FOX Sports Indiana."

Basketball Day in Indiana will start at 8 a.m. ET with pre-recorded shows on The Wigwam and Milan Miracle. Live coverage begins at 9 a.m. with the Basketball Day in Indiana Live tipoff show from Georgia Street. The first two games of the day will be played at Bankers Life Fieldhouse: Center Grove takes on Carmel in girls high school basketball at 10 a.m., followed by a boys game between Lapel and New Castle at 12 p.m.

"The IHSAA is ecstatic about the creation and production of a Basketball Day in Indiana," said Bobby Cox, Commissioner of the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA). "This collection of high school, college and professional basketball games from our state will truly showcase the sport which is synonymous with Indiana.  We are thrilled to partner with our friends at FOX Sports and Bankers Life Fieldhouse in creating a day celebrating the rich heritage of basketball in our state."

The scene will then shift to Southport High School for a matchup of two of the best high school players in the state: North Central (Indianapolis), and its star senior Kris Wilkes, will face defending 4A state champion New Albany, led by junior Romeo Langford.

At 4:30, Butler will host Cincinnati in a high-profile college game that will be simulcast on FOX Sports Indiana and FS1.

"Basketball Day in Indiana is a great way to showcase our state's love of the sport," said Barry Collier, Butler Vice President/Director of Athletics. "The simulcast of our game with Cincinnati provides another opportunity for fans who aren't in Hinkle on Dec. 10 to enjoy a great non-conference match-up. We're excited to be part of this inaugural event."

At 6:30 it's back to Bankers Life Fieldhouse, where the Pacers host the Portland Trail Blazers at 7 p.m., followed by a wrap of all the day's events.

2016 Basketball Day in Indiana Schedule | Saturday, Dec. 10

9 a.m.: Basketball Day in Indiana Live (from Georgia Street)

10 a.m.: Girls Basketball: Carmel vs. Center Grove (Bankers Life Fieldhouse)

12 p.m.: Boys Basketball: Lapel vs. New Castle (Bankers Life Fieldhouse)

2 p.m.: Boys Basketball: North Central vs. New Albany (Southport High School)

4 p.m.: Basketball Day in Indiana Live (Georgia Street)

4:30 p.m.: Men's Basketball: Cincinnati at Butler (Hinkle Fieldhouse)

6:30 p.m.: Pacers Live pregame (Bankers Life Fieldhouse)

7 p.m.: Portland Trail Blazers at Indiana Pacers (Bankers Life Fieldhouse)

9:30 p.m.: Pacers Live postgame (Bankers Life Fieldhouse)

10 p.m.: Basketball Day in Indiana Live wrap-up show (Georgia Street)