Indiana Center of Hoops Universe

As FOS points out: Indiana is the center of the basketball universe—thanks to both pro teams

May 26, 2025

Indiana Is the Center of the Basketball Universe—Thanks to Both Pro Teams
“Tyler Beadlescomb has a view of the Gainbridge Fieldhouse parking structure from his office. He and the rest of the Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) staff park their vehicles on the fifth floor, but fans are allowed to park there on Pacers and Fever game days.

“Last year, he started to notice the fifth floor would begin to fill up five hours ahead of Fever games with fans hoping to catch a glimpse of rookie Caitlin Clark…”
^{Front Office Sports}

ESPN’s ‘Around the Horn’ Signs Off For the Final Time
After 4,953 episodes, Tony Reali and “Around the Horn” have signed off ESPN for the final time.

“I was 24 when I started on this show. I grew up on this show. This show helped me grow up,” Reali said during the final show Friday afternoon.

Reali assembled an all-star slate of guests for the final episode, including New York Liberty mascot Ellie the Elephant to open the show following Reali saying the group needed to address “the elephant in the room.”

Front Office Sports also talks about what’s next in the “Around the Horn” slot.
^{Sports Business Journal, Front Office Sports}

Fox Milks Indy 500 Brand Identity to Drum Up Interest in 109th Running
SBJ’s Adam Stern writes, “The network signed the open-wheel racing property this year and has marketed it heavily, including several Super Bowl spots, as Fox tries to elevate IndyCar as something like America’s version of F1. While the Super Bowl spots over the offseason were geared toward elevating the profiles of three specific drivers, the marketing around the Indy 500 has been more about the arena and less about the gladiators who will enter it.”

Sportico went on to discuss “Texas A&M’s Motorsports Marketing Strategy Hits Indy 500.”
^{Sports Business Journal}

Tom Brady Backs Another Crypto Play
The legendary quarterback turned Fox NFL broadcaster is among the investors pouring $18 million into Catena Labs, which aims to “establish the first fully regulated AI-native financial institution” to serve what is known as the “agentic commerce” marketplace, according to an announcement last week. 
^{Front Office Sports}

Sports Owner Tax Perk in Crosshairs As Bill Moves Forward
FOS’ Ben Horney writes, “President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill, which narrowly passed the House on Thursday, could make buying professional sports teams less appealing because of a tax hit that new owners would incur.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed on a 215–214 vote early Thursday and now moves to the Senate, where Republicans have a majority (53 seats compared to 45 for Democrats, with two independents).”
^{Front Office Sports}

WWE Moving 2026 WrestleMania From New Orleans
WWE has “canceled the WrestleMania event that was scheduled to be held in New Orleans in April 2026.” It was announced in February that the city would host the huge event for the first time since 2018. It “had been scheduled to be held over two nights, April 11-12, at the Caesars Superdome.” WWE said they “want to build on other events scheduled for New Orleans” and “might bring WrestleMania to the city in some future year.” The reason for the cancellation “remains unclear.”
^{Sports Business Journal}

Guardians Reveal New Progressive Field Clubhouses, Upgrades
The Guardians on Thursday officially unveiled the new clubhouse areas and the Carnegie Club at Progressive Field, with a “major emphasis” on “not only improving the fan experience, but the player experience,” according to Ryan Lewis of the AKRON BEACON JOURNAL via SBJ. The team “used this opportunity to bring the clubhouse, meeting rooms, dining areas and workout/recuperation areas into 2025.”
^{Akron Beacon Journal via Sports Business Journal}

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UNC Women’s Lax National Title Provides ‘Indirect’ Financial Gains
“The real benefit is building upon the brand of the University of North Carolina,” UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham said in a phone interview. “With our Olympic sports, particularly our women’s sports, it shows that this is great place to come and play. The more you win, in all our sports, the better our recruiting is top to bottom.”
^{Front Office Sports}

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