Ep. 5: Senior VP Todd Taylor on Hickory
The Indiana Pacers\xa0unveiled their NBA \u201cPride\u201d uniform this fall,\xa0one that uniquely connects with the community. (Best of all, it\u2019s not a sleeved jersey like most of the \u201cPride\u201d uniforms around the league.) Several team execs gathered in a room nearly two years ago\xa0to brainstorm, and they came to an agreement\xa0on Hickory uniforms from the movie \u201cHoosiers.\u201d\nWhen doing their research, they found out that next year \u2014 2016 \u2014 will be the 30th anniversary since the movie was released.\nPerfect, right?\nOn Friday (Nov. 6), the Pacers will wear their Hickory uniforms for the first time against the Miami Heat. It is also their first nationally televised game (ESPN) of the season.\nThe organization and MGM Studios came to a five-year licensing agreement and this season, the team will wear the uniforms in ten games, six at home. And, at those six home games, the team will celebrate and honor teams or individuals\xa0in this state that made a\xa0substantial impact.\nIn addition, Bankers Life Fieldhouse will be dressed up for all six Hickory home games, the\xa0Pacemates have old-school uniforms, Boomer\xa0will have a new look, and more.\nThe Pacers gift shop has dozens of items for sale, including jerseys, t-shirts, hoodies, and novelty items. Pre-ordered jerseys were mailed out this week and will be available for sale in the gift shop Friday.\xa0Orders have been received from 41 states and seven countries.\nOne of the guys in that room a few years back\xa0was Pacers exec Todd Taylor, who joined the team in June 2011 after previous stints with two Major League Baseball teams. Taylor, the\xa0Senior VP and Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of\xa0Pacers Sports & Entertainment, is my guest on this week\u2019s podcast \u2014 one that I\u2019m really excited about.\nI hope that you enjoy it.\nTopics Discussed:\n\n* How the team\xa0chose\xa0Hickory uniforms\n* What goes into getting a new uniform approved\n* What fans can expect at home games\n* Merchandise sales of Hickory gear\n* When the team might get new uniforms