INDIANAPOLIS — Pacers Sports and Entertainment CEO Rick Fuson has been leading the charge to bring the NBA All-Star Game back to Indianapolis.
It's no small task.
It's been in the works for years. In fact, Indy's road to hosting the All-Star Game started back in 2017, with Larry Bird in an IndyCar delivering the bid to the NBA offices in New York.
It worked. Since then, Fuson has led the charge to pull off this big weekend.
Fuson is chairperson of the host committee. He's been a Pacers employee for 40 years, and he also helped plan the 1985 All-Star Game right here in Indianapolis.
"I'm a little bit of an elder now," Fuson said. "In '85, I did all the work, and so over nearly 30 some-odd years, almost 40 years, you know, I mean, you learn to get in a position where you got other people doing the work, and bless them because I couldn't do what they do today."
Fuson has watched as the All-Star Game has taken on a life of its own, bringing to town thousands of guests and millions of dollars to the local economy.
It's a major deal now.
"When I look at '85 and look how big it wasn't then, and then look at 2024 and how exponentially bigger it is – more hotel rooms, more convention space, more events to it, more media, more media from around the world – you know, I mean, it's just unbelievable," Fuson said.
So as the city takes the national spotlight once again, Fuson will watch like a proud dad. He's retiring this summer. What a perfect way to bring his career full-circle.
"I am humbled that a young guy from the northeast side of Indianapolis with a father who wrote sports could be here where I am today," Fuson said. "Never thought that I'd ever get here, but to work a guy like Herb Simon and Mel Simon and to be part of this wonderful city, my heart is full."