Fever unveil plans for $78 million training facility after Caitlin Clark's historic season
I Caitlin Clark the result paid off big for the Indiana Fever and women's basketball.
Pacers Sports & Entertainment unveiled its $78 million plan to build a “world-class” performance center just in downtown Indianapolis WNBA team, which is expected to open before the start of the 2027 season.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) talks with Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (0) in the first half of Game 2 of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs at Mohegan Sun Arena Sept. 25, 2024. (Photos by Paul Rutherford/Imagn)
“We are excited to work with Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett to identify the perfect location for the Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center,” PS&E CEO Herb Simon said in a statement. “The city of Indianapolis continues to be a great partner as we elevate our team, players and community.”
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The 108,000-square-foot practice facility will be connected to Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where both the Fever and Indiana Pacers play, and construction is expected to begin in August 2025.
According to a press release from the team, the facility's design will be geared toward “the specific needs of female athletes competing at the highest level, including performance and conditioning, recovery and rehabilitation, mental health and wellness and lifestyle support.”
“This state-of-the-art training facility is an indication of our organization's continued commitment to ensuring our players have the highest level of resources to succeed,” Indiana Fever president of basketball and business operations Kelly Krauskopf said in a statement provided by the team.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) shoots as Dallas Wings' Jacy Sheldon (4) and Natasha Howard, right, defend in the first half of a WNBA game Sept. 1, 2024, in Arlington, Texas . (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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“As we look to the future, our focus on creating a high-performance player designed specifically for female athletes will set us apart.”
The new facility will have two law courts, a full-service kitchen and areas dedicated to yoga and Pilates. In addition, the team said that other features included in the design include “a hair and nail salon, a childcare center and a podcast and content production studio to support the players' lifestyles.”
The Fever has its own training facility at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, which was last renovated in 2020.
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Clark's historic rookie season produced WNBA record numbers, both in attendance and attendance. For the first time in league history, the league announced full charter flights to all of its teams in May, which was projected to be worth about $25 million per year for the next two seasons.
Indiana Fever's Caitlin Clark reacts after hitting a three-pointer in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse Aug. 16, 2024, in Indianapolis. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Las Vegas, Seattle and Phoenix have all opened new training centers in the past few years, and Chicago has another under construction.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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