“Save the Pacers”: The 1977 Telethon That Kept Indiana’s Team Alive

In the summer of 1977, the Indiana Pacers—once proud titans of the American Basketball Association (ABA)—stood on the brink of collapse. A few short years earlier, they had been the toast of Indianapolis, ABA champions three times over. But the merger with the NBA in 1976 had exposed deep financial wounds, and just one season into their NBA journey, the Pacers were struggling to survive. What happened next was one of the most unique and heartwarming fan-driven rescues in professional sports history: a local telethon that saved the franchise.

Post-ABA Problems

When the ABA merged with the NBA in 1976, only four teams were absorbed: the San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, New York Nets, and Indiana Pacers. But unlike the others, Indiana entered the NBA in dire financial straits. The Pacers had been community-owned for years, and their ABA success had come at a steep price. Attendance had declined in the ABA’s final seasons, and debts had piled up.

Worse still, the terms of the merger were especially harsh on Indiana. The Pacers had to pay a $3.2 million entry fee to join the NBA, and they weren’t given the same financial support as the existing NBA clubs. On top of that, they lost players to NBA expansion and free agency. Their inaugural NBA season (1976–77) was rocky: they finished with a 36–46 record and missed the playoffs.

By the spring of 1977, the franchise was hemorrhaging money. The ownership group, which was largely made up of local investors and civic leaders, couldn’t keep up. There was serious discussion of folding the team or selling it to out-of-state buyers.

The Telethon is Born

With the Pacers’ future hanging in the balance, Indianapolis mayor William Hudnut, along with local media outlets and business leaders, spearheaded a radical plan: a televised fundraising campaign to keep the team in Indiana.

The concept was both desperate and inspired—a “Save the Pacers” telethon, broadcast live from the Indianapolis Convention Center on June 10–11, 1977, over local station WTHR. It would resemble a public TV fundraiser, with local celebrities, politicians, and even former players urging Hoosiers to buy season tickets, donate money, or pledge support in any form.

Local media personalities hosted the event, and hundreds of volunteers staffed the phones. Community leaders made appearances. Musicians performed. Even Pacers players themselves manned the phones, talking directly to fans and encouraging them to support the team.

Mel Daniels and Slick Leonard Lead the Charge

Two franchise icons played critical roles in galvanizing the fanbase. Mel Daniels, the rugged center who had led Indiana to two ABA titles, was now in the front office and deeply invested in saving the team. More importantly, head coach Bobby “Slick” Leonard, beloved for his passion and charisma, became the emotional anchor of the telethon.

Leonard’s plea to viewers was heartfelt and direct. In a now-iconic moment, Slick went on live TV, choked up, and told fans:

“This is your team. We don’t want to lose it. We’ve got something special here. But if you don’t step up, it’s gone.”

The moment struck a chord across Indiana. The phones lit up. Donations rolled in. Fans drove in from across the state to buy season tickets in person.

The Goal: 8,000 Season Tickets

The organizers set an ambitious goal: sell 8,000 season tickets during the telethon to prove the city’s commitment to the team. It was a tall order. But by the end of the event—thanks to the outpouring of grassroots support and civic pride—the campaign reached its target.

One of the largest single purchases came from local businessman and future team owner Herb Simon, who bought a significant block of season tickets and would later become instrumental in the Pacers’ long-term survival.

When the final tally came in, cheers erupted. The team was saved—for now.

Legacy of the Telethon

The 1977 telethon didn’t solve all of the Pacers’ financial problems, but it bought them time. It showed the NBA—and prospective owners—that Indianapolis was a basketball town that would fight to keep its team.

The outpouring of support helped stabilize the franchise for the next few years. Eventually, in 1983, the Pacers were purchased by the Simon brothers, Herb and Melvin, who invested heavily in the team’s future and kept it in Indianapolis permanently.

The telethon became a legendary moment in Indiana sports culture—proof of a city’s passion for basketball and its refusal to let its team vanish. For many longtime fans, it remains a point of pride and a reminder that sometimes, even in the high-stakes world of pro sports, a grassroots movement can make all the difference.

Epilogue: A Team That Belongs to the Fans

Nearly 50 years later, the Pacers are still here, still part of the NBA, and still a vital thread in Indiana’s basketball fabric. The team has had its ups and downs since 1977, but its survival can be traced back to one unforgettable weekend when fans picked up the phones, opened their wallets, and said: “Not on our watch.”