Indiana Pacers Internships: A Comprehensive Guide

Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) is dedicated to providing top-notch sports and entertainment experiences while positively impacting the community. As the organization behind the Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever, Noblesville Boom, Pacers Foundation, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and the WNBA 2025 All-Star Weekend, PS&E operates on core values of Respect, Teamwork, Trust, Passion, and Excellence. Their mission is to create memorable moments for fans and foster a culture of inclusivity and excellence, both on and off the court. PS&E offers a range of internship opportunities designed to provide college and university students with hands-on experience in various areas of the business. These paid internships allow interns to make real contributions while learning about the sports and entertainment industry.

Internship Opportunities at Pacers Sports & Entertainment

PS&E offers a broad range of internship opportunities designed to give current college and university students hands-on roles in various areas throughout their business. The program gives interns an amazing opportunity to not only gain valuable experience but also to make real contributions as they learn about the business of sports and entertainment. All internships are paid, and interns must receive credit from their college or university.

Available Internship Roles

While specific roles may vary, here are some examples of internship opportunities previously offered at PS&E:

Event Production Intern: This role involves assisting in the planning, coordination, and implementation of meetings and events at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Responsibilities include producing weekly meeting sheets, acting as the Event Coordinator during assigned events, and providing administrative support to the Event Production staff.
Data Analytics Intern: This internship focuses on applying data programming skills (R, Python, SQL) in data science, data engineering, or data analysis. The intern will be involved in checking data, creating visual presentations of deliverables, and contributing to data-driven decision-making within the organization.

General Requirements for PS&E Internships

While specific requirements may vary depending on the role, some general requirements for PS&E internships include:

Enrollment in a college or university program as a junior, senior, or graduate student.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks effectively.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including long and unusual hours.
Ability to work independently on projects and maintain confidential information.
Ability to maintain a professional image at all times.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel, Word).
Strong organizational, follow-up, communication, project management, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with various internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret instructions and reports.
Ability to write reports and correspondence.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions.
Ability to communicate effectively under pressure and when working under a deadline.
Knowledge to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as making change, analyzing costs, figuring statistics, and making area measurements.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to interpret directions.

Specific Requirements for Data Analytics Internships

Demonstrated data programming experience (R, Python, SQL) in data science, data engineering, or data analysis.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerBI).
Strong organizational skills with a robust attention to detail in regards both to checking data and visual presentation of deliverables.
Excellent communication skills and a desire to learn more both about the basketball industry and data analytics’ impact on the game.
Highly motivated and dependable.
Interest in basketball and familiarity with basketball terminology and analytics is a plus.
Basic knowledge of version control systems like Git.
Experience with statistical analysis and machine learning techniques (e.g., regression/modeling, clustering, hypothesis testing, categorical data analysis), commonly used statistics packages in R or Python, data visualization, and data collection methods.
Familiarity with using Flask or Django for building web applications in Python.
Experience in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for creating responsive and interactive user interfaces.
Familiarity with using Bootstrap for designing and implementing responsive layouts.
Exposure to JavaScript frameworks like Vue (preferred), React, or similar libraries.
Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office, R or Python, as well as the ability to learn and utilize new computer programs quickly and efficiently.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to interpret directions and technical diagrams.
Ability to deal with various internal and external constituents to solve problems and deliver projects on time with accuracy, professionalism, and with outstanding customer service.

Responsibilities of an Event Production Intern

Participate and assist in the planning, coordination, and implementation of meetings and events at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Assist the Event Production staff by producing weekly meeting sheets that are distributed company-wide.
Act as the Event Coordinator during assigned events.
Assist the Event Production staff with administrative needs (i.e.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. These include the ability to:

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Sit, stand, and walk for extended periods.
Lift and move heavy objects.
Climb stairs.
Use a telephone and computer.
Speak, hear, read, and write effectively.

The noise level in the office work environment is usually moderate, while the noise level in the Fieldhouse/game environment is usually loud. The stress level may become high during certain times of the year.

NBA Internship Programs

The NBA offers various internship programs that provide participants with the opportunity to learn about the business of basketball, develop critical career skills, and contribute to meaningful projects.

NBA Summer Internship Program

The NBA Internship Program provides participants with the opportunity to learn about the business of basketball, develop critical career skills and contribute to meaningful projects across a range of departments. Internships are paid and run for 10 weeks from June to August.

Interns are selected to work across one of various departments, including Basketball Strategy & Analytics, Broadcast Operations, Facilities, IT, and Social Responsibility. Programming includes keynote conversations with senior leaders, professional development sessions, and social events. The application window for the 2025 NBA Summer Internship Program is now closed. Applications for the 2026 Program will open in the Fall of 2025.

NBA HBCU Fellowship Program

The NBA HBCU Fellowship Program provides career development opportunities in the business of basketball for undergraduate and graduate students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Fellows are selected by NBA teams and the league office to work within a variety of departments, including ticket sales, corporate partnerships, IT, social responsibility, and marketing.

Business & Basketball Training Program

The Business & Basketball Training Program is a series of virtual development programs in the key business areas of sales, analytics, and basketball operations. By providing college juniors, seniors, and those early in their careers with access to mentorship, networking, and development opportunities, as well as real-world insights, the Future Analytics Stars, Future Basketball Operations Stars, and Future Sales Stars programs connect current executives with the next generation of leaders in these fields.

Programming includes deep dives into Analytics 101 and various aspects of operating an NBA team, with potential on-site experiences for the basketball operations program, as well as the world of ticketing and partnership sales. Participants also hear from guest speakers, engage in candid discussions on how to thrive in the sports industry, and participate in skill-building sessions such as resume writing, interview preparation, and networking. The 2025 Future Basketball Operations Stars application is now closed.

NBA China Associate Program

The NBA China Associate Program is a two-year development initiative aimed at developing high-potential talent across the Asia region in a range of business functions. The program follows the 70/20/10 model: 70% of learning comes from hands-on experience, 20% from exposure to networks, and 10% from formal education.

BAL Future Pros Program

As the first NBA-affiliated league outside of the Americas, the Basketball Africa League represents more than just basketball. The BAL Future Pros program is a 12-month internship that provides the opportunity to gain behind-the-scenes knowledge of operations, identify entrepreneurship opportunities within the ecosystem, and expand their professional networks.

How to Apply for Internships

The application process for internships at PS&E and the NBA typically involves submitting an online application through their respective websites. Be sure to carefully review the specific requirements and qualifications for each internship before applying. Applications are often closed, so it’s important to check the websites regularly for updates on when applications will be accepted.

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