THE Caitlin Clark This effect has paid off handsomely for the Indiana Fever and women’s basketball.
Pacers Sports & Entertainment revealed its $78 million plan to build a “world-class” performance center in downtown Indianapolis exclusively for its The WNBA team, which is expected to open before the start of the 2027 season.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) talks to Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) during the first half in Game 2 of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 25, 2024 . (Paul Rutherford/Imagn Images)
“We are excited to partner with Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett to identify the ideal location for the Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center,” PS&E owner Herb Simon said in a statement. “The city of Indianapolis continues to be a tremendous partner as we elevate our team, our players and our community.”
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The 108,000 square foot practice facility will be connected to Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home to both the Fever and Indiana Pacers play, and construction is expected to begin in August 2025.
According to a press release from the team, the center’s design will be geared toward “the specific needs of female athletes competing at the highest levels, including performance and physical conditioning, recovery and rehabilitation, mental health and well-being and lifestyle support.
“This elite training facility is a reflection of our organization’s continued commitment to ensuring our players have the highest level of resources to succeed,” said Kelly Krauskopf, president of basketball and business operations. ‘Indiana Fever, in a press release provided by the team.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) shoots as the Dallas Wings’ Jacy Sheldon (4) and Natasha Howard, right, defend in the first half of a WNBA game September 1, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutiérrez)
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“As we look to the future, our focus on creating a first-class gaming experience designed exclusively for female athletes will set us apart.”
The new center will have two regulation courts, a full-service kitchen and spaces dedicated to yoga and Pilates. Additionally, the team said other features integrated into the design include “a hair and nail salon, a childcare space, and a podcast and content production studio to support the lifestyle players”.
The Fever have their own stand-alone training facility at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, which was last renovated in 2020.
Clark’s historic rookie season generated record numbers for the WNBA in both viewership and attendance. For the first time in league history, the league announced full-time charter flights for all of its teams in May, which are expected to cost around $25 million per year for the next two seasons.
Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever reacts after a 3-pointer during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on August 16, 2024, in Indianapolis. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Las Vegas, Seattle and Phoenix have all opened new training centers in recent years, and Chicago has one under construction.
