The Pacers are in the NBA Finals. The Fever have Caitlin Clark. In Indy, basketball is booming

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Rick Carlisle used the line after the Indiana Pacers won the Eastern Conference title earlier this month, the one that is the official motto for the state's basketball Hall of Fame and surely has been uttered for generations.

“In 49 other states, it's just basketball,” said Carlisle, the Pacers' head coach. “But this is Indiana.”

It's true: Basketball never loses importance here. But these days, the state — and Indianapolis especially — probably feels like the center of the basketball universe.

Indiana is the state that lays claim to Larry Bird and Oscar Robertson. It boasts the most recent team to finish an NCAA Division I men's season undefeated in Bob Knight's 1975-76 Indiana squad. It inspired the movie “Hoosiers,” cheered Reggie Miller for the entirety of his Hall of Fame career and now has the talk of the women's game in Caitlin Clark for the WNBA's Fever — a team that might be playing for titles in Indianapolis before too long.

Oh, and the Pacers are back in the NBA Finals, too.

The NBA's title round returns to Indianapolis on Wednesday night for the first time in 25 years. Game 3, Oklahoma City at Indiana, series tied at a game apiece. In 49 other states, they'll be watching. In Indiana, they'll be seeing.

“I think you’re making a valid point about the Fever and Caitlin being here,” Carlisle said, when asked about the parallel between Indianapolis' two teams enjoying simultaneous success. “Both teams are teams that are working their way up and getting better. The level of interest is high. We’ve always had great fans here.”

He would know. He's in his third stint as a resident of the Hoosier State. He was an assistant coach, then became Pacers head coach, then left for Dallas, then came back to coach the Pacers again.

He's seen good times. He's seen bad times. He's now seeing crazed times. There are “Yes, ‘Cers” signs all over the city. The Pacers' chances are the talk of the bar at the famed St. Elmo Steak House, and yes, they're big Fever fans there as well.

The Fever and Pacers are both owned by Herb Simon, the 90-year-old Hall of Famer who bought the NBA team more than 40 years ago. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Simon deserves much of the credit for what's happening in Indy these days.

“As David Stern used to say, ‘We’re going to keep him at it until he gets it right.’ And here we are,” Silver said of Simon, referring to his predecessor as NBA commissioner. "He’s the longest standing owner, governor in NBA history. And I’m just so happy for him, to see the success. The cherry on top of the whipped cream is we have a WNBA All-Star game coming there this summer. And how appropriate that what is viewed as the heartland of basketball, the state of Indiana, is seeing all this success around the game.”

It's Pacersmania and Caitlinmania, all at once, which means there are all sorts of things for Indy fans to be loving right now. There's a chance that Clark — who has been out with a quadriceps injury — could return to the Fever lineup on Saturday against the defending champion New York Liberty. That means it could be Pacers in a finals game Wednesday, Pacers in a finals game Friday, Clark's return against the WNBA champs on Saturday, all in one building.

Clark was courtside when the Pacers beat New York to clinch the East title, and her celebration — a loud scream — went viral. She has breathed new life into the WNBA; about 16,000 people went to Fever home and away games last season, while the average for all other games not involving the Fever was about 8,500. This season's ratings have plummeted while she's been out with the leg injury; by Nielsen's numbers, nationally televised WNBA viewership is down 55% since she got hurt.

“Caitlin is amazing,” Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, a close friend of Clark, said earlier this season. “For me, getting to actually spend time around her, be around her, get to know her personally, she's just an amazing person and amazing player. ... I think the Fever in general, they're like rock stars. They're a big part of the growth behind that league.”

A big part of Indianapolis' basketball renaissance, too.

People here never forget about the game. And on Sundays in football season, the predominantly gold Pacers and Fever jerseys get traded for the blue and white of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. The rest of the time, in good or bad, it seems basketball is always the go-to for fandom among Hoosiers.

After all, in 49 other states, it's just basketball. But this is Indiana.

“Honestly, I can’t wait to see how rocking and loud this place is,” Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith said when asked what he thinks Game 3 will feel like. “It’s going to be a special, special moment for sure.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton celebrates after a teammate made a 3-pointer during the second half of Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the New York Knicks in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, right, and guard Sophie Cunningham celebrates on the bench in the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Washington Mystics in Indianapolis, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton holds up the trophy after the Pacers won Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the New York Knicks in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

Indiana Pacers owner Herb Simon, left, holds the trophy near head coach Rick Carlisle after the Pacers won Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the New York Knicks in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

GENEVA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 15, 2026--

Cargill today announced the maiden voyage of Brave Pioneer, the first of five green methanol dual-fuel dry bulk vessels chartered by the company. The deployment of the Brave Pioneer marks another important milestone in Cargill’s broader decarbonization efforts – one focused on innovation, testing and learning as the company works with customers and partners to refine future-ready solutions for Cargill and the industry.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260114083757/en/

Built by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and owned by Mitsui & Co. Ltd., Brave Pioneer is equipped to operate on both conventional marine fuels and green methanol, a lower-carbon alternative. The estimated CO2 saving of using green methanol compared to conventional fuel is up to 70%.

The ship departs the Philippines today, will bunker green methanol in Singapore, then proceed to Western Australia before sailing onward to Europe. Through Brave Pioneer ’s maiden voyage, Cargill will conduct a series of operational trials designed evaluate methanol bunkering readiness, understand how environmental attributes can be traced and verified through carbon accounting systems, and assess market appetite for low-carbon freight services.

“Decarbonising global shipping requires a mix of technologies and the willingness to take bold steps before the entire ecosystem is ready,” said Jan Dieleman, President of Cargill’s Ocean Transportation business. “Technologies like green methanol or wind-assisted propulsion come with uncertainty. But as an industry leader, we have a responsibility to test these innovations on the water, share what we learn, and help shape the systems and standards that will enable wider adoption.”

Setting the Stage for a New Low-Carbon Fleet

The launch of Brave Pioneer paves the way for the four additional vessels that will join Cargill’s fleet over the coming years. The addition of these vessels strengthens Cargill’s multi-solution decarbonization approach, which includes wind-assisted propulsion, voyage optimization technologies, energy-efficiency retrofits and exploration of alternative fuels such as biofuels and ethanol.

Each represents another step in the company’s broader efforts to embed sustainability into global ocean supply chains and support customers looking for practical, lower-carbon freight options.

“We know the road to low carbon shipping will require a mix of solutions and green methanol is one part of that portfolio,” Dieleman continued. “Our new fleet is about optionality and adaptability. These vessels are engineered to perform at a best-in-class level on conventional fuel today, while allowing us to switch to greener fuels as availability improves. It’s a practical way to future-proof ocean transport.”

As one of the world’s largest charterers of dry bulk freight, Cargill’s actions send a strong demand signal to the market and serve as an open invitation for others in the maritime sector to join in advancing the transition to sustainable shipping.

The initiative supports Cargill’s broader effort to reduce supply chain emissions and invest and test practical innovations that advance progress toward a more sustainable global food system. Green methanol-enabled vessels—paired with the eventual expansion of renewable fuel supply—are expected to play a meaningful role in reducing maritime emissions over the coming decade.

About Cargill

Cargill is committed to providing food, ingredients, agricultural solutions, and industrial products to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way. Sitting at the heart of the supply chain, we partner with farmers and customers to source, make and deliver products that are vital for living.

Our 160,000 team members innovate with purpose, providing customers with life’s essentials so businesses can grow, communities prosper, and consumers live well. With 159 years of experience as a family company, we look ahead while remaining true to our values. We put people first. We reach higher. We do the right thing—today and for generations to come. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.

Through Brave Pioneer’s maiden voyage, Cargill will conduct a series of operational trials designed evaluate methanol bunkering readiness, understand how environmental attributes can be traced and verified through carbon accounting systems, and assess market appetite for low-carbon freight services.

The ship departs the Philippines today, will bunker green methanol in Singapore, then proceed to Western Australia before sailing onward to Europe.

Built by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and owned by Mitsui & Co. Ltd., Brave Pioneer is equipped to operate on both conventional marine fuels and green methanol, a lower-carbon alternative.