The Indiana Pacers reportedly called the “Basketball Heart of Country” have fan issues this season. Crowd attendance is dwindling every game the team plays.

Negative news from the team on top of the record underdog has turned into fan apathy for visiting the home of Conseco Field this season where we see more empty seats than fans. The Pacers are averaging an attendance of 12,183, the fewest in the NBA this season; practically the worst since the 1990-91 season. The attendance has failed to reach at least 10,000 and is still doling out below 8,000.

This whole issue is an apprehension issue for the Pacers’ top organization. Herb Simon, the Pacers’ co-owner, describes the attendance numbers as “stunning” and warrants taking some strategies to prevail and win back fans. In the inaugural 1999-2000 season, attendance at Conseco Field House sold out in advance, however it has dropped considerably in six of the last eight years. This season attendance is down by more than 3,000 from last season’s average of 15,359. For the owners, Mel and Herb Simon, this is a very deep financial loss.

According to the Pacers’ marketing reporting team, they have an average ticket price of $42.39 this season, below the NBA average of $48.83. Also according to Forbes magazine, the Indiana Pacers lost approximately $12.5 million during the 2005-2006 season and this past year they have lost $1.3 million so far. Consequently, this translates into a smaller payroll of players.

Before we can fix all this mess, the team needs to start earning something. Attendance often tracks a team’s win-loss record and positively or negatively reveals the revenue for each season. The Pacers’ record has declined annually since they won a record 61 games in the 2003-2004 season, and they could do so again if they can’t match last year’s 35-win total.

The drumming of advertising strikes from off the field since November 200; plus minus three straight seasons of fan discontent.

“We’re in a smaller market and when we’re not winning, our attendance goes down,” CEO Donnie Walsh said. “I think it’s a combination of some of the incidents we’ve had and the fact that we’re not a very good team at the moment, which is another story. The fact that somebody stays home because of some of the things that What our (players) have made is not a good statement for us and we have to correct that.”

Renny Harrison, owner of ticket broker Circle City Tickets, said his business has taken a financial hit on Pacers tickets. He projected that he is making “20 to 25 percent” of the sales he expected in the 2003-04 season and anticipated losing money with the Pacers this season. His company is offering tickets below original value. A $125 seat, for example, can be purchased for $50.

Season ticket holder Cookie English has remained committed to their support. “I don’t go there to see (the players’) personal lives,” English said. “I want to have fun. If you want to find an excuse not to go, you can. But to say that they do not try and the games are not entertaining, it is not true. It makes me sad. I’m afraid that since their attendance is down, they’re going to want to get this team out of here.”

The Indiana Pacers are captivating strategies to try to win back fans. They started with game promotions, also meeting with more groups in the community and inviting season ticket holders to visit during team president Larry Bird’s stays.