The Pacers are "gearing up for a crucial three-month stretch before the season tips off," as this is "perhaps the highest-stakes span for the franchise in at least five years," according to Anthony Schoettle of the INDIANAPOLIS BUSINESS JOURNAL. Nearly the entire Pacers roster "has turned over," and the "departures include three regular starters" in F Paul George and Gs Jeff Teague and Monta Ellis. This season's lineup is "almost unrecognizable." But Pacers Senior VP and Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Todd Taylor said that the team "didn’t see a massive fan backlash" when George announced he "wouldn’t re-sign with the team after next season." He was then traded to the Thunder. Taylor said that Pacers’ season-ticket renewals were "unscathed by the off-season tumult because season tickets are renewed in April." He added that renewals are actually a "tick up over the same period a year ago." Taylor remains optimistic for the upcoming season, "in part because he believes" in President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard’s "ability to lead the team into a new era." Based on what Taylor has "heard from ticket holders," Pacers fans will "embrace the team Pritchard is putting together." Meanwhile, most of the team's sponsorships are multiyear deals, so those "have seen little impact" from the roster turnover. Taylor said he and his staff “kicked into education mode immediately” with current and past ticket buyers when the player changes started. The team is also "preparing to launch a digital and social media marketing campaign for the new players" (INDIANAPOLIS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 7/24 issue).
