Pacers, Colts Donate $250K for Indiana Flood Relief

Pacers Sports & Entertainment and the Indianapolis Colts are donating a combined $250,000 to the American Red Cross for flood relief across central Indiana. The Colts are contributing $125,000. The Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever, and Noblesville Boom are combining for the other $125,000. The organizations announced the donation Sunday at Colts training camp at Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield. American Red Cross Indiana Region CEO Terry Stigdon appeared with Colts owner, chief brand officer, and Colts Foundation president Kalen Jackson and Pacers Foundation Chair Rachel Simon. Simon said the Pacers, Fever, and Boom joined the Colts and the Irsay family on the gift as recovery work continues around the state. "Sports have a unique ability to bring people together, and our connection to this community extends well beyond the court or the field," Simon said via release. "That's why we're proud to join the Colts and the Irsay family in supporting the American Red Cross to help provide relief to the individuals and families who have been impacted by these devastating floods. Our thoughts are with everyone across central Indiana whose homes, businesses and lives have been disrupted by this severe weather." The storms began Aug. 11. Parts of Indiana received more than 11 inches of rain over the next three days, according to a preliminary report from the National Weather Service office in Indianapolis. Seven weather-related deaths had been reported statewide as of 4 p.m. Saturday. Damage assessments are still underway in several counties. The number of homes and other structures damaged by wind and water has not been determined. At Anderson and Noblesville, the White River rose past records set in 1913. The river at Nora also reached its highest point since 1913. About 130,000 customers were still without power Sunday afternoon. At the peak, the number was close to 300,000. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun issued a statewide disaster proclamation, while President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration allowing federal assistance. Noblesville is home to the Pacers' NBA G League affiliate. The Boom played their first season there in 2025-26 at Riverview Health Arena at Innovation Mile, a 3,400-seat building that opened in August 2025. The franchise had spent the previous two seasons at Gainbridge Fieldhouse as the Indiana Mad Ants before Pacers Sports & Entertainment announced the Boom rebrand in April 2025. Jackson said families and businesses will be dealing with the effects of the flooding well after the first days of the response. "With devastation like this, right now it's really top of mind, but it's going to take months on end to recover from this," Jackson said Sunday, per the Indianapolis Star. "We just encourage people to keep this in mind and keep your fellow Hoosiers and neighbors and community in mind, and come together like Indiana does so, so well in times of need," Jackson continued. Stigdon said the Red Cross is operating or helping operate 13 emergency shelters for residents displaced by the storms. "We are incredibly grateful for this partnership and generous support during such a challenging time for so many Hoosiers," Stigdon said via release. "This gift reflects the power of our community coming together to help neighbors in need. It will help ensure families impacted by the devastating flooding have access to critical assistance now, and the support they need for their recovery." Pacers Sports & Entertainment and the Colts are directing people who want to contribute toward the American Red Cross. The Pacers Foundation also has its Charity Softball Classic scheduled for Aug. 24 at Victory Field. Tyrese Haliburton is serving as a captain, with Aaron Nesmith, Andrew Nembhard, and T.J. McConnell among the Pacers players scheduled to participate. Colts players Daniel Jones, Jonathan Taylor, Alec Pierce, Sauce Gardner, Cam Bynum, and Mo Alie-Cox are also scheduled to appear. General admission is $10. Gates open at 6 p.m. ET, with first pitch at 7. Proceeds from the softball event benefit Drive & Dish, the food program founded by Pacers coach Rick Carlisle and supported by the Pacers Foundation. The program has delivered more than 1.2 million pounds of food across 21 sites in Indiana since it launched. The Fever are in their 27th WNBA season and play their home games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Pacers open the regular season Oct. 21 at New Orleans before hosting Dallas on Oct. 23.