Indiana Pacers' first GM, architect of ABA championship teams Mike Storen dies at 84

Mike Storen, the Indiana Pacers' first general manager, former ABA commissioner and the father of ESPN broadcaster Hannah Storm, died Thursday. He was 84. 

Storen, a Michigan City and Notre Dame alum, died at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta of complications from cancer, Storm said.

Storen was hired as Pacers' GM in 1967. After a 2-7 start to the 1968 season, Storen fired coach Larry Staverman and hired former IU star Bobby "Slick" Leonard.

Storen brought in players who would become Pacers icons — Roger Brown, Mel Daniels, Freddie Lewis, Bob Netolicky and Billy Keller. Those players grew to be the backbone of the great ABA Pacers teams..

In 1997 Storen told IndyStar Crispus Attucks star Oscar Robertson encouraged him to sign Brown.

"Oscar Robertson told me to go to Dayton and find Roger Brown," recalled Storen. "It was the best advice we ever got."

Brown was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.

Storen's bold moves allowed the Pacers to grow into the class of the ABA. With Leonard leading the way, the Pacers won ABA championships in 1970, '72, '73. 

"It is impossible to overstate the impact Storen had on our franchise and the American Basketball Association," the Pacers said in a statement.

"He paved the way for the Pacers' eventual entry into the NBA by putting together a talented front office and assembling a roster led by eventual Hall of Famers Roger Brown and Mel Daniels. He... was instrumental in choosing the name 'Pacers,' designed the team's first logo and chose its blue and gold colors.

"Storen was the first captain of the ABA's flagship franchise and the foundation for the tradition of success the Pacers maintain to this day. We offer our most sincere condolences to his family."

In 1970, Storen left to become the president and general manager of the ABA's Kentucky Colonels. He continued his wheeling and dealing ways in Kentucky, acquiring Purdue star Rick Mount from the Pacers in 1972. Storen drafted Mount while still GM for Pacers and openly coveted the sweet-shooting guard.

In the 1972-73 season, Mount led Storen's Colonels to the ABA finals, where they lost to the Pacers. 

Storen eventually ascended to become commissioner of the ABA in 1973. Boosted by stars such as Julius Erving, Storen helped put in motion the ABA’s move toward a merger with the NBA.

Larry Brown said Storen’s impact on the game — both then and now — should not be understated.

“I would see him from time to time and shoot, I always admired him,” Brown told the Associated Press. That’s the thing that stands out in my mind. When you talk to the old guys from the ABA, the pride we all had in being in the league was just the best part of it. And Mike, to me, championed our league. He made people aware it was a special brand of ball with quality players playing.”

Storen also served as commissioner of the Continental Basketball Association, Global Basketball Association and Indoor Professional Football League.

His passion for sports led him all over the country, but his time in Indiana always held a special place in his heart. 

"I wasn't very old (4), but I do remember Bobby Leonard and a bunch of tall guys always being at our house," Storm told IndyStar in 1991. "Those were good years for my dad, he really loved Indianapolis."

Storen is survived by wife Lynn; sons Mark and Duke and daughter Hannah by his first wife, Hannah; two stepdaughters, Susan Duncan and Lisa Roberts; and 14 grandchildren.

Among Storen’s relatives is major league pitcher and Brownsburg grad Drew Storen.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.