Attendance problems plague Pacers despite team's success

Larry Shehan remembers the black and white days of the Indiana Pacers, he even had season tickets.

"I have been a Pacers fan ever since the ABA," said Shehan. "Bob Lenard and Roger Brown and those guys."

After an extended break, Shehan is back at the ticket booth, buying seats to see his hometown team once again.

"I would like to see this place filled up, see them in the playoffs," said Shehan. "It would be good for the city of Indianapolis and good for Indiana."

Fans like Shehan have been the minority inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers are among the league's worst in attendance, despite having one of the league's best records.

Greg Schenkel, Pacers Public Relations, said those numbers do not tell the whole story, though.

"At this point in the season, we have played the fewest home games of any team in the NBA," said Schenkel. "We have only had nine home games and two of those have been sellouts."

Schenkel said fan turnout is not where the team wants it to be, but it is better than where they were last year.

"In recent years, people have told me when I've been out and about, 'hey, just get good guys and get a winning team and we'll be there.' I think the Pacers have done that and so for those people that have the opportunity to spend money and go to sporting events, it's that time," said Voice of the Pacers Chris Denari.

But what if that doesn't happen? What if fans don't come out and support the team? Is there a chance the Pacers pick up and leave town?

In July of 2010, a three year contract between the CIB, the city of Indianapolis and the team kept that from happening. But what about long-term?

Schenkel said the banner that reads, "Indiana's Team" speaks for itself.

"Herb Simon has always said this is a team that he intends to keep in Indianapolis," said Schenkel.