Indian Wells exhibition already drawing notice

While wrapping up the Pacific Life Open tennis tournament Sunday, tournament executives Charlie Pasarell and Raymond Moore also discussed the Phoenix Suns-Denver Nuggets outdoor game scheduled Oct. 11 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

The exhibition was set up because one of the Suns' minority owners lives in the desert. If it goes over well, there will likely be more.

"They're giving us one game this year," Moore said. "I asked for two. They said that if it's successful, we could get two next year."

The NBA inspected the site and not only gave its approval, but decided to promote it as a major event, maybe influenced by the way the NHL's outdoor game in Buffalo on New Year's Day became a singular event. TNT is on board to televise the event.

"It's great," Pasarell said. "That's going to lend a lot of credibility to this venue for all kinds of sporting events."

Is Lakers' owner Jerry Buss, who has roots in the desert, a little envious?

"He may be envious, I don't know," Moore said.

"The Phoenix Suns came in and said to us, 'We're not going to tell you who we're going to bring in, but we're going to tell you who we're not. We're not bringing in the Lakers.' "

The Indian Wells facility, which has hosted concerts with acts as varied as Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Tom Petty and Dwight Yoakam, is further expanding its footprint with a 3-on-3 basketball tournament later this year. Moore said there's a possibility of boxing cards as well, since the Indian Wells city council once opposed it but has since had a change of heart.

"This is an underutilized facility," Moore said. "But we have some handicaps. In August it's 120 degrees. It's hard to do anything here in the stadium except maybe water polo."

-- Jim Alexander
jalexander@PE.com