Pacers' O'Neal On Verge Of Returning

[SpursFanFirst]

I thought that the $1 per year deal was only for the first five years. I could very well be wrong, however. I live in Evansville, and I don't follow that side of operations as much as a resident of Marion County would.

On one level, I highly doubt they will move based on their long-term success in the Indianapolis market. On another level, it is an attendance-driven franchise, and attendance has been at all-time lows. (I don't know the specifics of the Pacers' tv deal with FOX, but it can't be that lucrative, considering how many other small markets FOX has tied up in FOX Midwest.)

I live in Marion County. Do we pay for Conseco too? I didn't know that, but then again, we have so many outrageous taxes (property taxes going sky high, Lucas Oil Stadium + they're over budget, etc) in this county, I can't keep them straight.

As far as Pacer attendance, it does suck. In addition to wiping the slate clean from top to bottom, they really need to lower the ticket prices to get people to come back. Given the off-court behavior of so many players, you really can't blame the city (and a small portion of the state) for not wanting to support them at this point. It's not like they've simply had bad records.

[PacerFan]

You are probably right reggie. I know they are paying 1$ per year, I didn't know for how long that will happen though. Like you guys have both said, I think it is more than just losing that is driving down the attendance. Players like Jamal Tinsley who yawn on the court don't help, and Jo sitting out when his pinky hurts doesn't help either, to say nothing of the legal issues.

I think if this team cleans up its act for a few years and plays hard the fans will find their way back into the seats. However if management keeps trying to make moves for veterans and keeping dead weight around it will be ugly for a while.