Indiana Pacers G League affiliate team moving from Fort Wayne to Noblesville
The Indiana Pacers G League affiliate team will soon have a new home.
Pacers Sports and Entertainment announced on Monday, in partnership with the City of Noblesville, Indana, that the Pacers affiliate team, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, will be relocating to Noblesville.
To make the move possible, Noblesville will be constructing a new, 85,000 square foot arena. It will be built near Finch Creek Park, which is on the East side of the city and roughly a 35-minute commute from the Pacers home in Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Mad Ants new building is expected to be completed by 2024-25, with the team playing in Gainbridge Fieldhouse until it is ready. Recently, the G League club played in Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne.
"The G League is world-class basketball, and [Pacers Sports and Entertainment] is proud to bring that to Noblesville as we strengthen our basketball operations and enhance player development in one of the state's most vibrant and growing communities," Pacers CEO Rick Fuson said. "We are excited about the way this partnership fits into the bold vision for economic development Mayor Jensen has laid out, and we can't wait to continue growing our NBA and G League fan base right here in Hamilton County."
The team will provide $5 million toward the arena with another $5 million to come from a naming rights agreement. The City of Noblesville will provide $36.5 million toward the project, which is expected to seat 3,400 fans. It will be used for other types of events when not used for G League play, according to Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen.
The Mad Ants were founded in 2007 and have been playing in Fort Wayne ever since. They won a championship in 2014 but will no longer be playing in Indiana's second-largest city. In their final home game on March 19, the Mad Ants beat the Wisconsin Herd 128-114. They handed out various items to fans, including blankets, and the team stuck around to sign autographs for fan appreciation afterwards.
The Mad Ants will change names, and mascots, when they move into their new arena. The old name, which gives homage to Fort Wayne as well as Major General Anthony Wayne, whose nickname was "Mad Anthony", will be retired.
The Mad Ants reached the postseason this year for the first time since 2018. The NBA is adding in a third two-way contract in its new collective bargaining agreement, which will be implemented this summer, so there will be plenty of NBA talent coming through Noblesville.
The proximity between Noblesville and Indianapolis will improve the synergy between the Pacers and their G League outfit. "We are excited to welcome Pacers Sports & Entertainment to Noblesville along with the players, coaches and staff of the G League team," Jensen said.
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