Pacers ownership treating employees to flight and ticket to NBA Finals game in Oklahoma City

Herb Simon and Steven Rales are flying full-time Pacers Sports & Entertainment staff to OKC for Game 1 or 2, continuing a culture of appreciation within the organization.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Indiana Pacers owners Herb Simon and Steven Rales are taking the team behind the team on the road.

When the Pacers closed out the New York Knicks in six games to win the Eastern Conference Finals — sending them back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000 — employees at Pacers Sports & Entertainment were notified that they were invited, too.

Full-time employees were offered a seat on a charter flight to Oklahoma City — there are zero nonstop flights between Indy and OKC — as well as a game ticket to Game 1 or Game 2.

“I expect nothing less from the Simon family,” said Myles Turner, who has been with the franchise since he was selected 11th overall in 2015. “They're a very accommodating group, especially for their players and the organization — something they take a lot of pride in.”

These staffers have also been putting in overtime because of the team’s success — such as putting t-shirts or rally towels on seats during their lunch hour.

It was up to each department to coordinate who would attend each of the first two games, ensuring they remained covered back in Indianapolis. It’s a busy time at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, which is preparing to host Games 3 and 4 in one week.

The marketing department is capitalizing on the moment, and the team store has seen a constant stream of customers for weeks. The money is pouring in as fans can’t get enough of this Pacers team.

The organization is chartering multiple Delta 757-200 planes — the same model the team flies — to Will Rogers International Airport for both games. Each group will return home after their designated game.

The traveling party also includes family members of players and coaches.

“That's going to be a lot of fun to have our families and staff there,” said Tyrese Haliburton. “So we'll have more Pacer fans in the building than we probably had on the road all year, to be honest. But that's exciting and it's going to be a lot of fun.”

Simon, 90, is having an unforgettable last 15 months — from hosting the NBA All-Star Game a year ago to being enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and now seeing Rick Carlisle lead the Pacers back to the NBA Finals.

Steven Rales, who has held a stake in the team for several years, increased his ownership to 20% at the end of 2023.

“It's an amazing gesture,” added Carlisle, who was an assistant on Larry Bird’s staff in 2000. “… It just shows how much they care about the people in the organization.”

One thing is for sure: there will be a first-time NBA champion, whether it’s Indiana or Oklahoma City. Single-game tickets for the Finals in Indy went on sale Thursday — and they’re not cheap. The get-in price after taxes is around $800.

---