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[Saba Sports News] It’s a great time to be part of the Indiana Pacers — especially if you’re on the payroll.
With the Pacers making their first NBA Finals appearance in 25 years, team owner Herb Simon is rewarding full-time employees in a big way. According to Indiana sports anchor Anthony Calhoun, the team is flying staff members to Oklahoma City for Games 1 and 2, providing tickets and even chartering planes for the trip.
Head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters Tuesday that each employee was allowed to bring three or four guests, noting that multiple planes would be needed to accommodate the group.
“It’s an awesome gesture by Mr. Simon and the Simon family,” Carlisle said. “It just shows how much they care about the people in the organization.”
Carlisle also recalled a similar move earlier this year, when Simon covered the costs for staff and their families to attend the team’s games in Paris against the Spurs — even though it came at a financial loss.
Though the Pacers reportedly hit a travel snag en route to OKC, spirits remain high as the organization prepares for its biggest games in decades — with players and staff celebrating together.