With the Pacers’ organization since 1984, Rick Fuson has been influential in shaping events within Market Square Arena, Gainbridge Fieldhouse and elsewhere in Indianapolis and Indiana.
A graduate of Indiana University and a life-long resident of Indianapolis, he joined the staff of Market Square Arena in 1984 as director of special events and helped plan the 1985 NBA All-Star Game. He was promoted in 1985 to vice president. Fuson helped oversee the design of the Pacers’ move to Conseco Fieldhouse (now Gainbridge Fieldhouse) in September 1999. He was promoted to Executive Senior Vice President of Pacers Sports & Entertainment in November 2001. Rick was named Chief Operating Officer in April 2008. In September 2014 he became President/COO. Fuson is Chief Executive Officer as of January 2022. In his current role, Fuson is responsible for operation of all aspects of the business and facilities elements of Pacers Sports & Entertainment.
Through the years, Fuson has been active in pursuing major events for Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the City of Indianapolis and State of Indiana. He served as Co-Chair of the 2012 Super Bowl Village Committee. He was a member of the Executive Committee for the 1991 World Gymnastics Championships and served as chairman for the opening ceremonies. He was co-chairman of special events for the 1991, 1997 and 2000 NCAA Final Four and served on the Local Organizing Committee for the 2006, 2010 and 2021 NCAA Final Four. Fuson was instrumental in bringing the NCAA Men’s Basketball Division 1 First and Second Round Tournament Games to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the first time in 2017 and the NCAA Women’s Final Four in 2011 and 2016. He produced the opening ceremonies of the 2001 World Police & Fire Games and the closing ceremonies of the Pan American Games in 1987. Fuson served on the Local Organizing Committee for the 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008-2012, 2014-2016 and 2017-2022 Big Ten Basketball Championships, 2002 FIBA World Basketball Championships, and 2004 FINA World Swimming Championship. He also served on the Local Organizing Committee for the 2015 P&G Gymnastics Championships. He is former Co-Chair for the Big Ten Basketball Championships Local Organizing Committee. Fuson lead the effort to bring the 2021 NBA All-Star Game to Indianapolis which will now be in 2024 and serves as the LOC Chairman.
Throughout his career, he has received such honors as Recipient of the Indianapolis Ambassadors 1988 Community Service Award, Indianapolis Business Journal’s “Who’s Who in Hospitality”, “Who’s Who in Sports” and “Forty Under Forty” and Sports Business Journal’s inaugural “ALL IN: Leaders in Diversity and Inclusive Hiring”. He has also been active with the Indianapolis Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the 1985 NBA All-Star weekend, the grand opening of the Indianapolis Zoo in 1988, the White River Park State Games and Indianapolis Downtown Space 2010.
Fuson is a professional member of the International Association of Venue Managers. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) and is a member of the Business Equity for Indy initiative (BEI) created by CICP and Indy Chamber. He also serves on IHSAA Foundation, Indy Public Safety Foundation, Indy Chamber and Visit Indy Advisory Board, Downtown Indy Recovery Committee, Kennedy King Marvelous Potential Program Committee, City of Indianapolis External Advisory Committee re: South Downtown Connectivity Vision Plan, Indianapolis Community Safety Committee and serves as Chair of the Pacers Foundation. He is an Indiana Sports Corporation Board of Directors Life Member and serves as immediate past Board Chairman where he helped guide the 2021 NCAA March Madness. Fuson has been named the Moderator for the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series Class of XLVI.
Rick is married to Karen Ferguson Fuson. Fuson’s family includes three children: Amy Fuson Massillamany, Emily Fuson Weber (Jimmy) and Matthew Fuson; two grandchildren: Jackson and Sullivan Massillamany; and, Karen’s two children: Kaela and Kyle Crotchfelt.