The Indiana Pacers were formed by a group of six investors to take part in the foundation of the American Basketball Association in 1967. The name “Pacers” is a reference to the Indy 500 pace cars and harness racing pacers. While that part of the name came easily, there was some debate over whether the team would be the Indiana Pacers or the Indianapolis Pacers. “Indiana” was settled on as the original plan was to play some of their home games around the state with the State Fairgrounds Coliseum acting as a home base. While the Viriginia and Carolina ABA teams followed this model, the Pacers ended up playing all their home games in Indianapolis, first at the Fairgrounds (1967-1974), then at Market Square Arena.
This contract was the 3rd between the team and the arena, and set the lease at $1,000 per game, payable on the night of the game. The Fair took responsibility for installing and maintaining the basketball floor, but also retained control of all concession sales. All other preparations were the responsibility of the team. The Fair Board and the Pacers also made a deal with Marathon Oil this year to update and replace the Coliseum’s scoreboard, which is attached to this contact. One interesting note: the contract gives the date of the All-Star game as the 27th, with a game against New Orleans on the 24th. These games were evidently swapped before they occurred.
This contract comes from a large collection of bound contract volumes for all the Fairground’s various venues, but the contracts for the Coliseum are the most notable. In 1970 alone the Coliseum hosted concerts by The Byrds, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, and Johnny Cash, although most contracts are signed by managers and bookers rather than the artists themselves. The volumes are part of the Indiana State Fair Board Collection.
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The Indiana Pacers were formed by a group of six investors to take part in the foundation of the American Basketball Association in 1967. The name “Pacers” is a reference to the Indy 500 pace cars and harness racing pacers. While that part of the name came easily, there was some debate over whether the team would be the Indiana Pacers or the Indianapolis Pacers. “Indiana” was settled on as the original plan was to play some of their home games around the state with the State Fairgrounds Coliseum acting as a home base. While the Viriginia and Carolina ABA teams followed this model, the Pacers ended up playing all their home games in Indianapolis, first at the Fairgrounds (1967-1974), then at Market Square Arena.
This contract was the 3rd between the team and the arena, and set the lease at $1,000 per game, payable on the night of the game. The Fair took responsibility for installing and maintaining the basketball floor, but also retained control of all concession sales. All other preparations were the responsibility of the team. The Fair Board and the Pacers also made a deal with Marathon Oil this year to update and replace the Coliseum’s scoreboard, which is attached to this contact. One interesting note: the contract gives the date of the All-Star game as the 27th, with a game against New Orleans on the 24th. These games were evidently swapped before they occurred.
This contract comes from a large collection of bound contract volumes for all the Fairground’s various venues, but the contracts for the Coliseum are the most notable. In 1970 alone the Coliseum hosted concerts by The Byrds, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, and Johnny Cash, although most contracts are signed by managers and bookers rather than the artists themselves. The volumes are part of the Indiana State Fair Board Collection.