Indiana Pacers owner Herb Simon named to Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame in class of 2024

Simon has owned the Pacers for

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Pacers owner Herb Simon is officially a Hall Of Famer. The 2024 Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame class was announced at the NCAA Final Four on Saturday morning, and Simon is among the group as a contributor.

Simon, 89, is the longest-tenured owner in NBA history. He purchased the franchise in 1983 and has been the governor from then until present day. His brother, Melvin, was involved in the purchase, and his son Steven is now the alternate governor for the franchise.

"As the longest-standing governor in NBA history, a founding member of the WNBA, and a former Chairman of the NBA Board of Governors, Herb Simon has been instrumental in every significant NBA and WNBA development over the past four decades. While Herb has never sought credit for his truly influential role, it is wonderful to see his steady leadership and service to the game of basketball recognized by the Hall of Fame," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.

Simon kept the team in Indiana for over four decades, which has been critical for both the Pacers franchise and Indianapolis as a city. It's hard to imagine the history of the NBA without a team in Indiana, and Simon has a ton of responsibility in making that happen.

Simon was named a finalist for the Hall Of Fame at NBA All-Star weekend, which took place in Indianapolis back in February. "His acts of philanthropy are legendary, and he's a guy that doesn't ever seek attention. So this is very well deserved for him," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said at the time.

Now, it's official. Simon is Hall Of Fame bound. He was recognized at halftime of the Purdue University vs North Carolina State University game earlier today. Simon and the rest of the 2024 class will be enshrined during festivities in Springfield, Massachusetts, on August 16 and 17 of this year.

"It's incredible. I thought it was a mistake," Simon joked of the honor. "I've never blocked a shot, I've never dunked it... to be in that [contributor] category made me so proud."

He has overseen essentially all of the Pacers best years in the NBA, including their lone NBA Finals trip in 2000. Simon recently sold 15% of the team to Steven Rales, and Rales now owns 20% of the franchise in total.

"Very well deserving," Pacers center Myles Turner shared of Simon's honor on Saturday. "He really boosted [the franchise] to what it is... I'm excited that him and his family get that honor."

Simon's Pacers have four games left in the 2023-24 regular season before some amount of postseason action.

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