INDIANAPOLIS — Visually impaired fans will have a new way to experience Indiana Pacers games this season through a partnership with nonprofit MindsEye that provides live audio description at 20 home games.
Starting with Monday's preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs, ticketed fans can access trained audio describers who relay visual information happening during games — from player movements and team uniforms to mascot Boomer's antics and halftime performances.
"Pacers games are all about energy, excitement and connection, and our fans deserve to feel part of that," said Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO Mel Raines. "This partnership with MindsEye lets us bring the full game-day experience to blind and low-vision fans in a new way."
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The service was piloted during the last season for both Pacers and Fever games.
"Being a part of the first of something is always cool, but nothing beats being a part of the first of something that makes something accessible," said MindsEye President and CEO Jason Frazier.
Frazier provides detailed, real-time descriptions of everything happening inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse, from the game on the court to the entertainment on the video board.
“We translate vision to audio for those in the visually impaired community,” Frazier said.
Listening on the other end are fans like Marc Morris, who has had low vision since he was two years old.
“I can see the court and movement, but I couldn’t tell you which player had the ball or if it went in the hoop,” Morris said. “Before the audio description, I didn’t really know what I was missing. It was like, wow — I didn’t even know all this stuff was going on around me.”
Morris was part of a pilot group last season that tested the program during Pacers and Indiana Fever games. Between 12 and 50 fans tuned into the live descriptions from their seats.
"I think our goal is to be as inclusive as possible for guests from all walks of life," said Lauren Carro, the senior director of guest experiences.
The audio feed doesn’t just cover the action on the court — it includes every detail from timeouts and halftime shows.
“The mascot pieing someone in the face, the wave, the halftime show when the dogs are catching frisbees — there’s so much more to the action than just the game,” Frazier said.
For Morris, that inclusiveness means finally getting to fully experience what it’s like to be part of the crowd.
“The fact that they’re taking on this initiative and opening the door for individuals like myself is incredible,” he said.
The Pacers are the first NBA team to implement in-arena audio descriptions.
How to tune in:
- Visit mindseyeradio.org to sign up for upcoming audio description events or visit the Guest Services Team at Section 2 in Gainbrige Fieldhouse when you arrive
- Download the free LiveVoice app to your mobile device before the game
- Bring your own headphones (a limited number of headsets will be available)
- Once inside the event, the app will activate through a provided code and stream live audio description synced to the game
The audio description will be available at 19 additional home games throughout the season, including matchups against the Thunder (October 23), Celtics (January 12) and 76ers (April 10).
Audio description will be available at the following Pacers home games:
- Monday, Oct. 13 – vs. San Antonio Spurs (Preseason)
- Thursday, Oct. 23 – vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
- Wednesday, Nov. 5 – vs. Brooklyn Nets
- Saturday, Nov. 15 – vs. Toronto Raptors
- Wednesday, Nov. 19 – vs. Charlotte Hornets
- Monday, Dec. 8 – vs. Sacramento Kings
- Thursday, Dec. 18 – vs. New York Knicks
- Tuesday, Dec. 23 – vs. Milwaukee Bucks
- Friday, Jan. 2 – vs. San Antonio Spurs
- Monday, Jan. 12 – vs. Boston Celtics
- Friday, Jan. 16 – vs. New Orleans Pelicans
- Wednesday, Jan. 28 – vs. Chicago Bulls
- Tuesday, Feb. 3 – vs. Utah Jazz
- Sunday, Feb. 22 – vs. Dallas Mavericks
- Thursday, Feb. 26 – vs. Charlotte Hornets
- Thursday, March 12 – vs. Phoenix Suns
- Wednesday, March 18 – vs. Portland Trail Blazers
- Sunday, March 29 – vs. Miami Heat
- Tuesday, April 7 – vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
- Friday, April 10 – vs. Philadelphia 76ers
