Mel Simon; dead at 82

[Scoot McGroot]

Co-owner of the Pacers Mel Simon died Friday. Not only was he co-owner of the Pacers with his brother Herb, but he also co-owned Simon Malls with his brother, and he was also a Hollwood producer in the 80's with his biggest hit being "Porky's" (something I did not know).


The Pacers family is shrinking.


I would assume his family would take over his ownership stake, likely looking to sell his half to Herb's family, meaning it might be easier to sell/move the team in the future when Herb eventually passes on.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4477344

[Miller4ever]

Apparently the Simons kept the Pacers in Indiana for 25 years.

RIP Mel. For good or bad, I wouldn't have wanted these last 25 years to have gone down in a different state.

[Dunthreevy]

My thoughts are with his family. The Simons were good guys from everything I've ever heard. Any man that is even partially responsible for keeping my beloved Ps here in Indy, gets my utmost respect and gratitude. Rest in peace Mel.

[Gremz]

Very sad news. For being in charge of the sports organization that I hold dearer than any other, he will always be in my highest regard. RIP Mel.

[basketballwacko2]

I didn't even know Mel was sick, and I haven't seen what was the cause. But he was a good owner of our Pacers one of the best in all of sports and he and his brother Herb were great business owners! I never heard a bad thing about him! Let's hope his family's greif is short and they can celebrate his life! RIP Mel.

[HookShotHibbert]

I didn't even know Mel was sick, and I haven't seen what was the cause. But he was a good owner of our Pacers one of the best in all of sports and he and his brother Herb were great business owners! I never heard a bad thing about him! Let's hope his family's greif is short and they can celebrate his life! RIP Mel.

Based on the article, it sounds like he had only recently (July) fell ill:
Les Morris, a spokesman for Simon Property Group, which Simon spent nearly 40 years leading, confirmed Simon's death but said he could not discuss the circumstances. Simon had not made any public appearances in recent months and his brother had asked for prayers for him at a July event during which the two were honored as Indiana legends.

Little was said about his recent health except when Herb Simon asked for prayers for him at the state historical society event in July.
"Whatever we have accomplished, I know in my heart he's a legend of all legends for me," Herb Simon said at the time. "He started this thing."


...Whatever his ailment, the fact that he passed on Friday and word just came out to the public today (5 days later) show that the Simon family wanted and still want the details to remain very private.

[PR07]

He was a good owner. Sorry to see him pass. The Pacers lost a good one of the Pacers' family today.

[Charcoal Filtered]

Health of one or both of the Simon's was brought up during the Conseco rent negotiation. They wanted to ensure they had a model in place for the next owners to financially keep the Pacers in Indiana. It is definitely appreciated to have not worried about the team leaving due to financial concerns and less than stellar attendance.

[IrishLuck31]

RIP Mel Simon. seemed like he was a great guy -not just for the Pacers, but the entire community as well.

[HookShotHibbert]

Co-owner of the Pacers Mel Simon died Friday.

[quote="HookShotHibbert.]...Whatever his ailment, the fact that he passed on Friday and word just came out to the public today (5 days later) show that the Simon family wanted and still want the details to remain very private.[/quote]

Looks like ESPN and the AP have edited their stories to reflect his death as being today rather than last Friday

Also just heard of the passing of Myles Brand, former IU president and current NCAA president. Regardless of your feeling on his handling of the Bob Knight situation, you have to think his ties to Indiana may have helped Indy land the NCAA headquarters and the Final Four on a four year rotation.
Truly a sad day for Indiana.

[Dunthreevy]

Co-owner of the Pacers Mel Simon died Friday.

[quote="HookShotHibbert.]...Whatever his ailment, the fact that he passed on Friday and word just came out to the public today (5 days later) show that the Simon family wanted and still want the details to remain very private.[/quote]

Looks like ESPN and the AP have edited their stories to reflect his death as being today rather than last Friday

Also just heard of the passing of Myles Brand, former IU president and current NCAA president. Regardless of your feeling on his handling of the Bob Knight situation, you have to think his ties to Indiana may have helped Indy land the NCAA headquarters and the Final Four on a four year rotation.
Truly a sad day for Indiana.[/quote]

Definitely a sad day for Indy as a whole. Those 2 guys meant more to Indiana sports than most people realize.

[Scoot McGroot]

Also just heard of the passing of Myles Brand, former IU president and current NCAA president. Regardless of your feeling on his handling of the Bob Knight situation, you have to think his ties to Indiana may have helped Indy land the NCAA headquarters and the Final Four on a four year rotation.
Truly a sad day for Indiana.

The NCAA headquarters solicited bids for a new headquarters in 1997, and in moved into their HQ along White River in 1999.

Miles Brand was still the president of IU until 2002.


This is not meant in order to defame the man, but he had absolutely nothing to do with getting the NCAA HQ's to Indiana, nor to getting Indy on a four year rotation for the Final Four, as that was part of the contract of moving the headquarters to Indy in 1999. All done before his team with the NCAA.

[freeman]

RIP, Mel.
And i'll forever thank him for the great contributions he did for the sport.
Hope the guys would dedicate this upcoming season, and every basketball year to come, to you.

[Wizop]

I understand both Myles and Mel died of pancreatic cancer.

as for who besides Herb is involved in the Pacers, Mel's son David is now head of Simon Properties and I assume Mel's estate passes to his wife and children and not his brother. there were three brothers by the way although the third was never out front.

[HookShotHibbert]

Also just heard of the passing of Myles Brand, former IU president and current NCAA president. Regardless of your feeling on his handling of the Bob Knight situation, you have to think his ties to Indiana may have helped Indy land the NCAA headquarters and the Final Four on a four year rotation.
Truly a sad day for Indiana.

The NCAA headquarters solicited bids for a new headquarters in 1997, and in moved into their HQ along White River in 1999.

Miles Brand was still the president of IU until 2002.


This is not meant in order to defame the man, but he had absolutely nothing to do with getting the NCAA HQ's to Indiana, nor to getting Indy on a four year rotation for the Final Four, as that was part of the contract of moving the headquarters to Indy in 1999. All done before his team with the NCAA.

I will concede that he may have had nothing to do with the NCAA relocating to Indy, but he has been given credit with securing the final four agreement with the city every four years...

"Brand also helped secure an unprecedented agreement to keep Indianapolis in the regular Final Four rotation through 2039 and got the NCAA involved in helping design the city's new Lucas Oil Stadium."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j4QIu4l-_KxEJQiCSyyqcZxxYrUwD9AOMB7G0

Granted he may have not been the creator of the original idea for Indy to be the 4 year host, but he was PROBABLY instrumental in extending the agreement until 2039!

[Scoot McGroot]

Also just heard of the passing of Myles Brand, former IU president and current NCAA president. Regardless of your feeling on his handling of the Bob Knight situation, you have to think his ties to Indiana may have helped Indy land the NCAA headquarters and the Final Four on a four year rotation.
Truly a sad day for Indiana.

The NCAA headquarters solicited bids for a new headquarters in 1997, and in moved into their HQ along White River in 1999.

Miles Brand was still the president of IU until 2002.


This is not meant in order to defame the man, but he had absolutely nothing to do with getting the NCAA HQ's to Indiana, nor to getting Indy on a four year rotation for the Final Four, as that was part of the contract of moving the headquarters to Indy in 1999. All done before his team with the NCAA.

I will concede that he may have had nothing to do with the NCAA relocating to Indy, but he has been given credit with securing the final four agreement with the city every four years...

"Brand also helped secure an unprecedented agreement to keep Indianapolis in the regular Final Four rotation through 2039 and got the NCAA involved in helping design the city's new Lucas Oil Stadium."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j4QIu4l-_KxEJQiCSyyqcZxxYrUwD9AOMB7G0

Granted he may have not been the creator of the original idea for Indy to be the 4 year host, but he was PROBABLY instrumental in extending the agreement until 2039!

As far as I know, and remembering the deal at the time, there was a deal in place that Indy would not only host the Final Four every 4 years, but would also be the failsafe host (in case the host city could not safely host the event for any number of reasons such as natural disaster) as part of the initial move.

Kansas City and Indy were the finalists, and Indy had a huge advantage with having the larger indoor stadiums, practice facilities throughout the city (NBA and college teams), and was already the "home of amateur sports" in America. Brand might've gotten the original agreement EXTENDED to 2039, but it was already out there until something like 2029 beforehand, in a 30 year deal.

[8305]

I would be surprised if Brand could have advocated for Indy as the ongoing final four destination. In his capacity as NCAA chairman I would think he would be charged with making the best decision for the NCAA not necessarily Indianapolis. To advocate for Indy would have been a conflict of interest.