The Pacers want to make it clear: They are keeping their NBA Developmental League team — the Mad Ants — in Fort Wayne.
On Wednesday morning, the Mad Ants sent out a news release with a statement from Pacers President and Chief Operating Officer Rick Fuson saying there was “no truth whatsoever” to a rumor that the team was considering to move their D-League team to another city in Indiana.
Herb Simon purchased the Mad Ants in September, 2015.
“Pacers Sports & Entertainment has learned that there have been rumors of a possible move of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants to another Indiana city,” Fuson said in a statement.
“PS&E categorically states that there is no truth whatsoever to these rumors. As our first season of ownership concludes, we look forward to building the Mad Ants into a model D-League franchise that well serves the Fort Wayne community on and off the court.”
[LISTEN: Podcast with Rick Fuson]
The Pacers are fully committed to Fort Wayne and so, as the well-respected organization that they are, they are making their position known to all.
Seriously, in what other Indiana city could this team prosper? Fort Wayne (253,691) is the state’s second-largest city behind Indianapolis and it is twice the size of Evansville (117,429).
The Mad Ants’ 2015-16 season concludes on Friday, April 1. After a terrific start to the year under first-year coach Steve Gansey, the team, currently 18-30, will finish at the bottom (fifth) of the Central Division.
[LISTEN: Podcast with Mad Ants GM Brian Levy]