Pacers Sports & Entertainment is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the first general manager of the Indiana Pacers, Mike Storen. It is impossible to overstate the impact Storen had on our franchise and the American Basketball Association, for which he would later serve as commissioner. He paved the way for the Pacers' eventual entry into the NBA by putting together a talented front office and assembling a roster led by eventual Hall of Famers Roger Brown and Mel Daniels. He hired Hall of Famer Bobby "Slick" Leonard as head coach in the Pacers' second season, was instrumental in choosing the name "Pacers," designed the team's first logo and chose its blue and gold colors.
Statement on the Passing of Mike Storen
