(Photo courtesy Pacers Sports & Entertainment)
Posted By: Richie Hall September 25, 2025
By JOSH BODE
WISH-TV | wishtv.com
Nancy Leonard, wife of former Pacers coach Bobby “Slick” Leonard, has died at the age of 93.
Nancy Leonard was considered the matriarch of the Indiana Pacers.
The Simon Family and Pacers Sports & Entertainment released the following statement:
“We are heartbroken to hear of Nancy Leonard’s passing. Quite simply, we would not be here without her. From the earliest days of the franchise, Nancy poured her heart and soul into the team, not just as the wife of Slick Leonard, but as a female trailblazer who rallied the community when we needed it the most. From organizing the now-legendary telethon that helped save the team to being a constant presence courtside as a true superfan, her passion for the organization made her beloved by generations of players, alumni and staff. She will always be part of the Pacers family and her legacy will continue to shape who we are. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Leonard family and all who were touched by Nancy’s remarkable life.”
Leonard continued to be around the team, attending games during the Pacers run to the NBA Finals in 2025.
“The First Lady of Indiana basketball,” Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton wrote on a post to X (formerly Twitter). “Before every game, I knew I could count on a wink and a smile behind the bench. There is no Pacers basketball without Nancy Leonard. Can’t want to see the day her name is in the rafters where it belongs. RIP to a legend and a beautiful soul.”
This story originally appeared on WISH-TV at wishtv.com/sports/indiana-pacers/nancy-leonard-pacers-icon-and-first-female-gm-in-nba-history-dies/
