INDIANAPOLIS — Local businesses say the month of May has been a slam dunk for them.
"We are right by (Gainbridge) Fieldhouse, Lucas Oil is right there. We are ground zero for everything downtown," said Tom Sutton, co-owner of Coaches Tavern.
The buzz surrounding the teams and the big events brought people downtown from near and far. Many fans arrived early for food and beverages before the games or to shoot some hoops at Bicentennial Unity Plaza.
"It's the energy before the game. You want to get the hype. You want to get energized and you want to see other fans be energized, so it's about that," said Indiana Pacers fan Monique Gadsden.
"It's so electric. It's so vibrant in the city. It feels great," added Sutton.
That feeling helped the Indiana Fever set a preseason game attendance record with 13,028 fans at their game against the Dream. And the Fever regular-season home opener was sold out at Gainbridge, with more than 17,000 tickets sold.
Pacers fans also packed the stands for the team's home playoff games against the Bucks and the Knicks over the last few weeks.
"It's guys you just love," Sutton said. "You just want to cheer for them. It's almost like it reminds me of the '90s days."
The success also makes a big financial impact on local businesses.
"That money all stays local. My bartenders will leave here and go to another business and spend that money. It all stays right here in Indy and builds that local economy up. It feels great," Sutton said.
Because of the hype around the Fever, business owners are hoping to see the good times continue all summer.
"It's like an added bonus. Summertime usually slows down for us, but if we can fill the fieldhouse for Fever games, we will love it," said Sutton.
Sutton said Coaches Tavern will be hosting the official watch party for Game 7 and they will be playing all of the Fever games this season.