The Colts could learn a thing or two from the Pacers and how they have sparked significant excitement in Indianapolis sports fans
The city of Indianapolis has been buzzing the last couple of months as the Indiana Pacers have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA. They used their late-season surge to begin the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs on the right foot. They won both of their first two series in five games, and after […]
The city of Indianapolis has been buzzing the last couple of months as the Indiana Pacers have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA. They used their late-season surge to begin the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs on the right foot. They won both of their first two series in five games, and after a game four win over the New York Knicks, hold a commanding 3-1 lead. They need just one win in the next three games to punch their ticket to the NBA Finals.
Seeing this success and how much the fan base has rallied around this team is certainly something the Indianapolis Colts should take notice of. And the closer you look, it's easy to realize that the Colts could learn a thing or two from the Pacers.
Things the Colts should pay attention to about the increased fan interest surrounding the Pacers
1. The power of being the villain of other fan bases' stories
The Pacers have made a lot of enemies over these past two playoff runs. The Milwaukee Bucks, for example, seem to hate everything about the Pacers after being sent home in the first round in back-to-back years. The way you see opposing fan bases talk about the Pacers, they are almost reaching "Boogey Man" status.
Rivalries are great for sports as they seem to make games seem even more important. But I think we've seen with the Pacers that their fan base has rallied around the team even more as opposing fan bases take shots out of anger and jealousy. Colts fans remember that feeling from all of the legendary duels between Peyton Manning and Tom Brady during their rivalry with the New England Patriots. When you have that extra hatred for an opponent, I think it brings the fan base closer together. The Colts could use some of that in the 2025 season. The team that is probably the closest to a rivalry right now is the Houston Texans, after back-to-back years of the two teams finishing first and second in the AFC South.
2. Finding your ideal play style and being authentically yourself on the field
Many basketball fans view the Pacers as an anomaly due to their unconventional play style, which differs from the typical way teams play in the playoffs. They pick up opposing teams full court, and they look to run an insane fast pace on the offensive end. The Pacers have found their "thing," and they go out every game and are authentically themselves.
The Colts have lacked a true identity over the last few years. And I think it has led to a disconnect between them and their fan base. The Colts took a significant step towards building a new identity by hiring Lou Anarumo as their new defensive coordinator, bringing a vastly different system than what fans had grown accustomed to in recent years under Gus Bradley. On the offensive side of the ball, they must figure out an answer at QB. For the Pacers, their offense came together quickly after landing Tyrese Haliburton to be the leader and catalyst for the team. The team wants Anthony Richardson to be that, and if he takes a step in the right direction this year, it would give them one of the most unique QBs in the NFL due to his athleticism.
3. Winning fixes almost everything
Last but not least, it's important to note that winning fixes almost everything. Over the years, the Pacers have had their fair share of ups and downs. A portion of the fan base could be described as fair weather. Due to them being very involved when they are winning, but near the bottom of NBA in attendance when the team isn't performing well.
At the end of the day, it's a pretty simple equation. Winning fixes almost everything. The two reasons I mentioned above play a factor in the Pacers having the support they have today, but the main reason is that they are winning. They shocked everyone by making it to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2024, and have done it again in 2025. If the Colts can do the same and start winning meaningful games and find themselves back in the NFL playoffs in 2025, I think a lot of the complaints we have seen from the fan base this offseason will quickly fade into the background.
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