First the NFL and now the NBA. Two professional leagues are gridlocked in negotiations that threaten their seasons. Meanwhile, downtown Indianapolis businesses are wondering if they'll have to withstand a fall without the Colts and the Pacers.
Down the street from Conseco Fieldhouse and inside Kilroy's Bar and Grill on Thursday, the games took a backseat to news of an NBA lockout.
"I do think a lockout might hurt the momentum that the Pacers are trying to create," said Brad Schwimer a fan of all Indiana sports.
Schwimer admits a lockout might also translate into less motivation for him to come downtown.
"When there's big games or whatever, I like to come downtown," Schwimer said. "I like Kilroys quite a bit because it's right next to Conseco."
Kilroy's and The Pub down the street, draw big business during Pacers games, and a lockout now comes at a time when they are already trying to figure out what they'll do if the NFL cancels games.
"On top of what's going on with the NFL right now I think that would be a really big shock," said Gordon Coke, owner of The Pub. "Not only for us but for all the local businesses in the downtown area."
A 2010 study found that the cost of a lost Pacers season would translate into $55 million in lost economic impact in Indianapolis, another $17.8 million loss to city government and a loss of 909 permanent full-time jobs.
Despite the potential loss of major revenue, city leaders say there is still time before the impact is felt.
"It really is not going to start impacting us unless games start being missed," said Marc Lotter, spokesperson for the city of Indianapolis. "Until that point occurs there really won't be a big financial impact on the city itself."
Nearby businesses and employees are a bit more worried. Yvonne Rodriguez says game days help make bartending worth her time.
"It would definitely hurt us," Rodriguez said. "We don't know what to expect with the football season approaching soon and they still haven't come to an agreement. Now the Pacers too, or the NBA as well, it's a shame."
For the owner of The Pub, just one lost Pacers game would mean a lot of lost revenue
"One game means probably what we'd make in one week," Gordon Coke said.
Though city leaders are hoping the NBA returns on time, if the league begins canceling games Lotter says they will reasses the situation and try to do what they can to minimize the impact downtown.
