Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers joined the American Basketball Association (ABA) in 1967, and their name came from a public contest overseen by co-founder Richard Tinkham. From the entries, “Pacers” was chosen because it tied together three distinct symbols of Indiana pride. First, it honoured the state’s tradition of harness racing, where “pacers” are the fastest and most celebrated horses. Second, it referenced the Indianapolis 500 pace car, the lead vehicle that starts the world’s most famous auto race. And third, it carried a basketball meaning — a team that would set the pace on the court. In one word, the Pacers captured Indiana’s sporting identity in racing, heritage, and basketball ambition.

Harness racing has deep roots in Indiana. Long before the state became synonymous with the NBA or the Indy 500, its county fairs and rural tracks were filled with standardbred horses competing in sulky races. The two main gaits are trotters and pacers, but pacers — moving their legs on the same side of the body in unison — are faster and steadier, making them fan favourites. Indiana remains a powerhouse in the sport, with tracks like Hoosier Park still showcasing pacers as part of the state’s agricultural and sporting culture. By tying their name to these horses, the team connected itself to Indiana’s rural backbone and its traditions of competition and speed.

The Indianapolis 500 gave the Pacers’ name its second layer. Since 1911, the race has been the ultimate test of machines and drivers, and the pace car has been its ceremonial leader — a gleaming model chosen each year to set the field in motion before the green flag waves. To Hoosiers, the pace car is as much a part of the spectacle as the bricks at the finish line or the milk in Victory Lane. Linking the basketball team’s identity to the pace car meant linking them directly to the world’s racing capital. Just as the pace car symbolises control, speed, and a dramatic launch, the Pacers were meant to embody that same rhythm on the hardwood.

Indiana itself has long been defined by sport and tradition. Known as the “Crossroads of America,” the state is a hub of railroads and highways linking the Midwest. It has deep agricultural roots — corn, soybeans, and manufacturing shaping its economy — but its cultural roots are in basketball. Small-town gyms, high school rivalries, and the movie Hoosiers all reflect a place where basketball isn’t just a game but a way of life. The Pacers’ name therefore also carried a second layer: a team that would be the professional standard-bearer for a state where basketball runs through every community.

The Pacers thrived in the ABA, winning three championships (1970, 1972, 1973) behind stars like Mel Daniels, George McGinnis, and Roger Brown. When the ABA merged with the NBA in 1976, the Pacers struggled financially but survived thanks to their loyal fan base and Indiana’s love for the game. Over time, they grew into one of the NBA’s most consistent franchises.

The 1990s marked the golden age of Pacers basketball. With Reggie Miller, the sharpshooting guard famous for his clutch three-pointers and trash talk, the Pacers became perennial playoff contenders. Miller’s battles with the Knicks — especially his unforgettable 8 points in 9 seconds in Madison Square Garden — cemented his legend. Under coach Larry Bird, the Pacers reached the NBA Finals in 2000, though they fell to the Shaq-and-Kobe Lakers.

The team’s badge reflects its identity. The “P” logo encloses a basketball in motion, symbolising both pace and play. Its blue and gold colours are drawn from the Indiana state flag, tying the franchise to state pride. The design is clean, fast, and purposeful — just like the pace cars circling the track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

From the roar of the Indy 500, to the rhythm of harness racing, to the sound of bouncing balls in small-town gyms - their badge is a reminder that in Indiana, whether on hardwood or asphalt, setting the pace is everything.