National Basketball Association

Pacers to wear 'Hoosiers' inspired uniforms next season

Published Jul. 21, 2015 11:10 a.m. ET

foxsports

By Jason Rowan

In a remarkable partnership sure to yield waves of nostalgia for arguably one of the finest sports movies of all-time, MGM and the Indiana Pacers have announced the NBA team will wear uniforms inspired by “Hoosiers” next season to celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary.

“Our team will be honored to wear the Hickory uniforms because of the attention it will bring to the storied history of Indiana basketball and the success of that movie,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird, via the team’s site. “‘Hoosiers’ takes us all back to a special place and time.”

The 1986 film, starring Gene Hackman and Dennis Hopper, tells the true story of the Cinderella season enjoyed by the high school basketball team from tiny Indiana town Milan, that culminated in a phenomenal and unexpected run to the 1954 state championship.

The uniforms, modeled after the “Hickory” gear worn by the team in the movie, are part of the NBA Pride Collection and will be worn by the Pacers at select home games next season. There are also plans to continue to wear the uniforms on occasion in subsequent seasons.

Todd Taylor, the Sports & Entertainment’s Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing for the Pacers, was the individual behind backing the concept.

“Obviously, we revere the film, but more importantly we believe our organization, especially our players, embody the core message of the story – by coming together as a team, there is nothing that can’t be accomplished,” said Taylor. “While the uniform being worn in front of a worldwide audience is thrilling, we are equally excited about the additional opportunities the partnership provides both on and off the court. The Miracle Men of Milan are just one of the legendary basketball stories in the state. We look forward to drawing attention to the contributions and accomplishments of those that have made Indiana synonymous with the game of basketball.”

Expect replicas of these jerseys to fly off the shelves should they be made available to the general public, an eventuality that is all but certain.

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