Caitlin Clark Impact Builds: WNBA Indy Fever Plan $78M Sports Performance Center
Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 03:09PM By Barry Janoff
Rendition: Indiana FeverJanuary 16, 2025: As part of what has been a franchise-defining year, Pacers Sports & Entertainment today shared plans to break ground this summer on a state-of-the-art, $78 million exclusive sports performance center for the WNBA Indiana Fever.
Although she was not mentioned by named, Caitlin Clark, who recently finished her rookie season with the Fever, almost certainly had a major impact on the plan — and they might consider putting her hame somewhere on the facility.
Located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, construction of the three-story, 108,000-square-foot training complex is expected to begin in August 2025 and open before the 2027 WNBA season.
“We are excited to partner with Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett to identify the perfect location for the Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center,” Pacers Sports & Entertainment owner Herb Simon said via the group, which owns the Fever as well as the NBA Pacers.
“The city of Indianapolis continues to be a tremendous partner as we elevate our team, players and community.”
With plans still being finalized, Pacers Sports & Entertainment said the center and amenities would be “designed to address the specific needs of female athletes competing at the highest level, including performance and conditioning, recovery and rehabilitation, mental health and wellness, and lifestyle support.
“Specifically, the facility will have best-in-class amenities including two regulation-sized courts with natural light, premier strength and conditioning equipment, yoga and Pilates area, hydration station and full-service kitchen.”
To help players recover and recharge, the facility will”offer a spa-like retreat with massage, infrared light therapy, sauna, steam, heat studios, float tank and multiple hydrotherapy pools.
“The team will also have a private outdoor courtyard and mental performance spaces. The center will boast a hair and nail salon, childcare space, and podcast and content production studio to support player lifestyles.”
This past season, with Clark as the team’s No. 1 overall draft pick and second-year star Aliyah Boston, the Fever had nearly all of its 40 regular season games air on national TV platforms, led the league with an average of more than 17,000 a game in Gainbridge Fieldhouse — up from 4,067 in 2023 and 1,776 in 2022 — and saw the team sign marketing deals including Eli Lilly and Kellenova brand Cheez-It.
According to global marketing research and consulting firm SponsorUnited, the WNBA averaged 42 sponsorship deals per team in 2024, an 8% increase vs. 2023.
“The Indiana Fever and Washington Mystics emerged as partnership powerhouses this season with 65 sponsorships each — reflecting a YoY growth of 71% and 51%, respectively.
“On social media: the Indiana Fever leads the charge with astonishing growth of 356% YoY (driven by rising superstar Caitlin Clark).”
Among her accolades, she was named WNBA Rookie of the Year, Athlete of the Year by Time magazine and the Female Athlete of the Year by AP Sports.
Indianapolis will be a center of attention July 18-19 when it hosts AT&T WNBA All-Star 2025 in Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Activation includes the fan fest WNBA Live! as well as downtown activations "that bring together sports, culture and community."
“WNBA All-Star is more than just a game,” said Tamika Catchings, Fever legend and WNBA All-Star 2025 Host Committee co-chair, said via the team.
“it’s going to be an epic celebration of the tremendous growth of our sport and diverse fan base, and an opportunity to deliver big wins for our community through unique events and impactful philanthropic partnerships.”
“The city of Indianapolis continues to be a tremendous partner as we elevate our team, players and community.”
Currently, the team’s dedicated practice court and training area, renovated in 2020, are located within Gainbridge Fieldhouse “and considered among the top facilities in the WNBA,” according to the team.
Kelly Krauskopf, Fever president of basketball and business operations, said having a stand-alone facility would elevate the team and fan experience.
“This elite training center is a reflection of our organization’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that our players have the highest level of resources to be successful,” Krauskopf said via the team.
“As we look to the future, the focus of creating a first-class player experience designed exclusively for women athletes will set us apart.”
An affiliate of Pacers Sports & Entertainment will construct the facility on the west half of the former Marion County Jail site, located at the corner of Alabama and Maryland streets.
The city of Indianapolis will make an intergovernmental land transfer to the Capitol Improvement Board of Marion County, which will enter into an operating agreement with the PS&E affiliate.
The facility will be donated to the CIB at the conclusion of the term of the operating agreement.
WNBA Seeks To Build On Success, Excitement Of 2024
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