The impact of Caitlin Clark’s success has greatly benefited both the Indiana Fever and women’s basketball as a whole.
Pacers Sports & Entertainment has announced a $78 million plan to build a new performance center for the Indiana Fever, set to open before the start of the 2027 season. This center will be located in downtown Indianapolis and will be dedicated exclusively to the WNBA team. The center is part of the growing support for the Fever and the women’s professional basketball scene.
“We are excited to partner with Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett to identify the perfect location for the Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center,” said Herb Simon, the owner of Pacers Sports & Entertainment. “The city of Indianapolis continues to be a tremendous partner as we elevate our team, players and community.”
The new facility will cover 108,000 square feet and will be directly connected to Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the venue where both the Indiana Fever and the Indiana Pacers play. Construction is set to begin in August 2025, with plans for completion before the 2027 season.
According to a press release from the team, the performance center will be designed to meet the specific needs of female athletes at the highest level of competition. This includes features to support performance and conditioning, recovery and rehabilitation, mental health and wellness, and lifestyle needs.
“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,” said Kelly Krauskopf, the Indiana Fever president of basketball and business operations. “As we look to the future, the focus of creating a first-class player experience designed exclusively for women athletes will set us apart.”
The new center will feature two regulation-size basketball courts, a full-service kitchen, and specialized spaces for yoga and Pilates. Other planned amenities include a hair and nail salon, a childcare space, and a podcast and content production studio to support the players’ personal and professional lifestyles.
Currently, the Indiana Fever have a standalone training center at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, which was last renovated in 2020.
Caitlin Clark’s remarkable rookie season has helped raise the profile of the WNBA, leading to record-breaking viewership and attendance. This has had a direct impact on improving resources and opportunities for the league.
In May, the WNBA made a groundbreaking announcement that all teams would now have full-time charter flights, a move expected to cost around $25 million per year for the next two seasons.
In addition, other WNBA teams are also improving their training facilities. Las Vegas, Seattle, and Phoenix have recently opened new centers, and Chicago is currently constructing one as well. This shift towards better facilities and resources reflects the growing recognition and investment in women’s basketball.
