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Breaking News: Pacers’ ownership announce location change

By Joe Lyon

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 11: A view of the Indiana Pacers logo on their uniform during the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on February 11, 2023 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 11: A view of the Indiana Pacers logo on their uniform during the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on February 11, 2023 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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There are going to be some big changes in the Pacers franchise landscape as a big announcement was made this week. It turns out if you are wanting to watch recent draft picks and prospective Pacers, you will need not go as far away from Indianapolis any longer.

Multiple outlets have reported that Noblesville has unanimously voted to build a new arena in order to bring the Fort Wayne Mad Ants to Noblesville. While all of the details are not available yet, it appears that the team may be changing their name as well. The team had spent 16 years in Fort Wayne, which has hosted multiple minor league sports teams for quite some time and may have interest from other suitors to bring in a minor league basketball team there.

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The Mad Ants have a long history with the Indiana Pacers

They came into existence in 2007 in the, then, NBA D-League. They were initially affiliated with the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers. Eventually they would add both the Milwaukee Bucks and Charlotte (then) Bobcats as affiliate teams. However in 2015, the Pacers Sports and Entertainment group bought the team to exclusively serve as their affiliate and development program and the Mad Ants have had the exclusive partnership since. But it’s always been in Fort Wayne.

How the move will impact how the team is able to bring players back and forth is unclear at this point, but it is likely to make it easier for Mad Ants players to have a closer association with the Pacers given they will now be much closer. The team may be more willing to move players back and forth if needed. This could serve to only strengthen the relationshp between the two parties who may be able to work much more closely together in the years to come.

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