Boom Baby
Indiana’s High-Flying Pacers Panther Since 1991
Indianapolis, IN · Basketball
★Mascot Hall of Fame — Class of 2019
| Team / Organization | Indiana Pacers |
|---|---|
| Location | Indianapolis, IN |
| League / Division | NBA |
| First Debuted | 1991 NBA season |
| Species / Type | Panther / Cat (anthropomorphic, dark blue; also known as the “Pacers Panther”) |
| Best Known For | High-flying dunks; 300+ community appearances per year; multiple NBA All-Star Game performer |
| Year Inducted | 2019 |
Profile
Boomer — sometimes called the “Pacers Panther” — has been an Indiana staple since 1991. His acrobatic dunks and big personality have made him a fixture not just at game nights but throughout the Indianapolis community, where he logs more than 300 appearances annually. Boomer was inducted alongside his home-state NFL neighbor, Blue (Colts), in the 2019 Mascot Hall of Fame class.
Fun Facts
- Boomer’s name is a nod to legendary Pacers announcer Bobby ‘Slick’ Leonard, whose signature ‘Boom Baby!’ catchphrase echoed through Market Square Arena after every made Pacers three-pointer.
- Boomer appeared as a featured performer at the 2024 NBA All-Star Game held in his own backyard at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
- Boomer performed alongside a companion mascot named Bowser (a dog character) for eight seasons before Bowser retired after the 2009–10 season, leaving Boomer as the undisputed star of the show.
