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Indianapolis Star
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
New WNBA All-Star basketball court unveiled at Al Polin Park in Indianapolis
WNBA D'Angel Perryman, 7, dribbles a basketball during a youth basketball clinic following the unveiling for a new WNBA All-Star Legacy Court on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Al E. Polin Park in Indianapolis. Christine Tannous/IndyStar The new WNBA All-Star Legacy Court is visible on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Al E. Polin Park in Indianapolis. Christine Tannous/IndyStar Mel Raines, CEO of Pacers Sports and Entertainment, speaks during the unveiling for a new WNBA All-Star Legacy Court on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Al E. Polin Park in Indianapolis. Christine Tannous/IndyStar Kids shoot basketballs during a youth basketball clinic following the unveiling for a new WNBA All-Star Legacy Court on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Al E. Polin Park in Indianapolis. Christine Tannous/IndyStar Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett speaks during the unveiling for a new WNBA All-Star Legacy Court on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Al E. Polin Park in Indianapolis. Christine Tannous/IndyStar Richie Smith, the associate director of community engagement for Pacers Sports & Entertainment, leads a group of children in a chant following a youth basketball clinic following the unveiling for a new WNBA All-Star Legacy Court on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Al E. Polin Park in Indianapolis. Christine Tannous/IndyStar Artist Kierra Ready waves as she is introduced during the unveiling for a new WNBA All-Star Legacy Court on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Al E. Polin Park in Indianapolis. Christine Tannous/IndyStar Mel Raines, CEO of Pacers Sports and Entertainment, speaks during the unveiling for a new WNBA All-Star Legacy Court on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Al E. Polin Park in Indianapolis. Christine Tannous/IndyStar City officials and community members cut the ribbon during the unveiling for a new WNBA All-Star Legacy Court on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Al E. Polin Park in Indianapolis. Christine Tannous/IndyStar Nehemiah Talifarro, 11, dribbles a basketball during a youth basketball clinic following the unveiling for a new WNBA All-Star Legacy Court on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Al E. Polin Park in Indianapolis. Christine Tannous/IndyStar Brittany Crone, Interim Director of Indy Parks and Recreation, speaks during the unveiling for a new WNBA All-Star Legacy Court on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Al E. Polin Park in Indianapolis. Christine Tannous/IndyStar The new WNBA All-Star Legacy Court is visible on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Al E. Polin Park in Indianapolis. Christine Tannous/IndyStar Mason Williams, 11, (center) dribbles a basketball during a youth basketball clinic following the unveiling for a new WNBA All-Star Legacy Court on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Al E. Polin Park in Indianapolis. Christine Tannous/IndyStar The new WNBA All-Star Legacy Court is visible on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Al E. Polin Park in Indianapolis. Christine Tannous/IndyStar Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett speaks during the unveiling for a new WNBA All-Star Legacy Court on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Al E. Polin Park in Indianapolis. Christine Tannous/IndyStar
Axios
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Fletcher Place Community Center's All-Star makeover
Fletcher Place Community Center is celebrating the arrival of summer with much-needed facility upgrades and a new mural from a local artist. Why it matters: Improvements made to the east side gathering spot represent one of four "legacy projects" Hoosier nonprofits are rolling out this year with the support of $1 million in grant funding from the WNBA All-Star 2025 Host Committee. Driving the news: FPCC and community leaders unveiled their All-Star facelift last week. Updates include kitchen improvements, upgrading the REACH Early Learning playground and toddler play space, a new greenhouse and enhancing the community garden. They also shared a mural by Boxx the Artist, a 2024 Art & Soul headliner who has installed more than 10 murals in Indy. What they're saying: Titled " Rooted Together," the goal of the mural was to honor the history of FPCC and its values of hope, compassion and renewal. The Rotary Club of Indianapolis and an anonymous donor also provided funding for the artwork. "To be able to help Fletcher Place ... complete their legacy project, which is going to help children and families for decades to come, is exactly why we wanted to host the WNBA All-Star Game," Mel Raines, CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, said at a recent ribbon cutting. What's next: Three other projects that received funding from the host committee are still underway.
Indianapolis Star
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
The hunt is on for hoops: All-Star Scavenger Hunt builds leadup to WNBA All-Star game 2025
WNBA fans can get in on the action coming to Indianapolis in mid-July through a statewide scavenger hunt to win prizes and tickets to the biggest weekend in women's basketball, the WNBA All-Star Host Committee announced June 17. The All-Star Scavenger Hunt is a trivia-based experience designed to engage Hoosiers and celebrate the history of women's basketball in Indiana, while getting basketball fans excited for the WNBA All-Star weekend, July 18 to 19 in Indianapolis. 'WNBA All-Star Weekend is about so much more than what happens on the court and this scavenger hunt will showcase legendary Indiana basketball moments while sparking some interactive fun along the way,' said Mel Raines, WNBA All-Star 2025 Host Committee Founding Chair and Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO. The scavenger hunt will run from June 26 to July 11. Participants will follow clues that test how much history they know about Indiana's female athletes, teams and basketball milestones. Be the first to arrive at the correct location with the right answer to win prizes and two free tickets to the WNBA Starry 3-Point Contest and Kia WNBA Skills Challenge on July 18 and the AT&T WNBA All-Star game on July 19. Each location will also feature interactive games, special guests, music and more fun facts about Indiana's basketball world. Registration is open at where Hoosiers can access early clues. These clues will be sent to registrants' emails one hour before they are shared publicly on social media including Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Axios
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Indy readies for dual WNBA All-Star, Indiana Black Expo celebration
Regardless of the forecast, mid-July is poised to be the hottest stretch of summer in Indianapolis. Why it matters: Indiana Black Expo's Summer Celebration and WNBA All-Star 2025 sharing calendar and venue space means the city will need to accommodate two marquee events and countless community-focused initiatives all at once. What they're saying: Mel Raines, CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, said the first call she made after being contacted by the league about All-Star hosting duties was IBE president and CEO Alice Watson. "We wanted to be sure that that was something that Alice and the organization thought would be complementary to what they were doing, and that we could sort of coexist in downtown together. And she quickly got back to me and said, 'I think this is a great opportunity and I think we could work together in a really cool way.' And so we've been off to the races since then," Raines said. "This is really the most exciting time not only for Indiana Black Expo or PS&E, but for the city of Indianapolis," Watson said. "None of us will be sleeping. We'll just keep going and going and going." Catch up quick: Summer Celebration starts July 11 with the Ecumenical Service at New Direction Church and ends July 20 with the IBE's Gospel Explosion at the Indiana Convention Center. All proceeds generated by the event support IBE's year-round initiatives related to education, business development, community learning, performing arts, college scholarships and more. WNBA All-Star tips off July 18, featuring the inaugural Fever Fest concert at White River State Park and culminating in the sold-out game the next day. A skills challenge and three-point shootout are among the on-court highlights, while off-court action includes the return of "Indy's Home Court," a downtown takeover of arts and culture events first seen during last year's NBA All-Star game. State of play: Four Indiana nonprofits have received $1 million in grants to create a lasting legacy around the All-Star event. Here's what they're working on. Fletcher Place Community Center: Enhancements to early learning facilities and community spaces. The Parks Alliance of Indianapolis: Renovation of the basketball court at Al E. Polin Park. Marion County Commission on Youth: Facility renovations and the launch of a student ambassador program for 25 female high school students. Marvella Foundation: Development of a "Championship Arena" at its Fair Oaks Farms campus in Newton County. Zoom in: Other community engagement plans include an effort to help women entrepreneurs obtain women-owned business enterprise certification and free Zumba sessions held across Indy in partnership with Centers of Wellness for Urban Women. Meanwhile, donors and volunteers are still needed for All-Star Cure on July 12-13. The event is a partnership between the host committee and the Susan G. Komen Tissue Bank that invites up to 500 women to donate healthy breast tissue in support of cancer research. What's next: More announcements, including celebrity guests to be added to Summer Celebration's guest list for the education conference on July 17, and the Style Zone July 18-20.
Fox News
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Dave Portnoy needles Fever for response to WNBA ending probe into alleged racist remarks
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy was at the Indiana Fever's first game of the WNBA season earlier this month against the Chicago Sky, which came under scrutiny. The WNBA launched an investigation into reports of hateful comments made toward the Sky. The Associated Press reported that the league was specifically investigating racial remarks toward Angel Reese. Nearly two weeks after the incident took place, the WNBA said Tuesday that the league could not substantiate the claims made against fans in attendance at the game despite the uproar the investigation caused on social media. Portnoy needled the Fever's response to the WNBA's conclusion. "It's OK to have a spine Indiana Fever," he wrote. "The 'investigation' was bulls---. Both you and WNBA gave (credibility) to a very obvious troll. ESPN ran with it. Caitlin Clark had to defend her fans for no reason. You made something outta nothing. Indiana Fever fans deserve better." Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO Mel Raines released a statement on the conclusion of the league's investigation. "We appreciate the swift and thorough process undertaken by the WNBA to investigate these allegations, which were not substantiated," Raines said. "At Gainbridge Fieldhouse, we are committed to providing the best possible basketball experience for players and fans where hate speech has absolutely no place. Indiana is home to the world's greatest fans, and we look forward to an exciting season of Fever basketball." Portnoy also reacted to the WNBA's statement. "No s--- you f---ing morons," he wrote. "Maybe wait next time before creating a racial war based on angry tik toks from Chicago Sky/Angel trolls who weren't even at the game. Honestly one of the worst mismanagements of Pr I've ever seen." Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
