By now you have heard the shot fired across the bow.
If the Pacers do not get a more favorable lease agreement for the utilization of Conseco Fieldhouse, the owners may have to consider selling the team and the new ownership may indeed seek a new address, one that includes a shiny new arena just waiting for a team to occupy it.
Could our beloved Pacers really close shop and land in Kansas City? The Kansas City Pacers sounds down right dreadful to me, but what really sounds even worse is the notion that the operating costs of the Fieldhouse are spiraling out of control ala Lucas Oil Stadium.
Hey, I get it, the original lease between the parties contains a clause that allows for a review and possible renegotiations after 10 years, and yes it has been 10 less than wonderful financial years since the inception of the agreement. But where does it say in the negotiations handbook that you must play this thing out in the press, instead of sitting down in the conference room and getting it done with straight forward business acumen and compromising to reach an agreement all parties can live with?
Can we not also find solutions that do not entail more taxes on hard-working people, many of whom never pass through the turnstiles at a home game?
At this point, we really do not know how much of its own money the Pacers are spending and for that matter, what the Capital Improvement Board is assuming in terms of the operating expense as well. Those numbers are not released to the public and that in itself is tragic.
How did we arrive at his juncture? What mistakes have been made and who should assume responsibility for them? Would I have better odds at hitting the Powerball than uncovering the aforementioned? Probably so.
I will readily admit I bleed blue and gold, and I want our Pacers to stay put – but at the same time improve the product on the floor. While they have been solid corporate citizens in our community, I can envision even more great things from them as time goes on. The Simons have been great stewards of this franchise; their generosity to the community and the state, is rightfully well documented. I dare say we could not have better owners and they have stated repeatedly they want the Pacers to remain in their family and in Indianapolis.
I too want things to remain in tact, but not a cost that burdens taxpayers even more that what we currently are experiencing.
If I could offer a suggestion to the CIB it would go something like this:
Pick up the phone and call some of the good folks who allegedly pledged $25 million dollars to bring the Super Bowl to Indianapolis in 2012. Perhaps they can help with the creative financing process. Creative is the word here, as you must tap in to every possible resource. The Pacers are giving a solid effort on the floor, and it is certainly time for the CIB to follow suit.
Cut a deal we all can live with and insure our Pacers stay put.
Notes: Danny Granger has returned to the lineup after missing11 games with a slightly torn tendon in his foot. The Pacers who are still in the thick of the playoff hunt, will host the Dallas Mavericks on March 20. All Star Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat visit Conseco Fieldhouse on Wednesday March 25. Tickets are still available at Ticketmaster.com or the Fieldhouse Box Office at (317) 917-2727.
Danny Bridges can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or Bridgeshd@aol.com.
