It’s been a busy offseason for the Pacers adding additional assets. First, a couple of draft picks. Then, a couple trades and the signing of four more players.

A couple weeks ago, at the end of August, Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) announced their plans to build a practice facility, which is expected to cost about $50 million.

Now, less than three weeks before the team opens training camp, they have added another asset that will benefit the entire organization.

The Pacers have purchased the last remaining independent NBA Developmental League team, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the organization announced at a Wednesday afternoon press conference at the Grand Wayne Center in Fort Wayne. Terms of the deal were not immediately available, but this is a big step for the organization.

“This is a very significant day for Pacers Sports & Entertainment,” said PS&E Vice Chairman Jim Morris.

Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird said team owner Herb Simon was hands on with the purchase.

“We’re here today because of Herb Simon,” Bird said. “We had opportunities to look at other franchises, go different places, but when it came right down to it, he wanted this franchise.

“Matter of fact, he took over the negotiations and don’t ask me what he paid for it. I have no idea. But he wanted it, he’s got it, and now it’s up to us to use it to our full potential.”

Click here to listen to Larry Bird’s comments, or play in the embedded player below.

[audio:http://www.vigilantsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Larry-Bird-on-Pacers-buying-Mad-Ants.mp3|titles=Larry Bird on the Pacers purchase of the Mad Ants]

How big — or rather, important — was the announcement? Among those in Fort Wayne for the press conference: PS&E President Rick Fuson, CFO Kevin Bower, Sr. VP of Marketing Todd Taylor, VP of General Counsel Frank Pulice, the entire front office, Pacers head coach Frank Vogel and more.

D-League Digest first reported that the Pacers were finalizing a deal to buy the Mad Ants back on August 1.

With the Pacers’ purchase of the Mad Ants, their D-League affiliate since 2007, all 19 D-League teams have a single-affiliate relationship with an NBA team. Over the last year, the Toronto Raptors bought a team and the Charlotte Hornets announced their intention to start their own next year.

The Pacers have privately discussed plans and a number of goals in having their own team. It’s likely that some employees would move to Fort Wayne to help build and grow the organization, and also be a great opportunity for those individuals to gain valuable on-the-job experience. They want their culture to extend up to Fort Wayne.

[Click here to read full comments from Simon, Morris, and Bird.]

Pacers General Manager Kevin Pritchard has been a big advocate of the minor leagues for those wanting to work in sports because you have to wear every hat.

“We are excited to build on the team’s success in Fort Wayne while using it as a training ground for players, coaches and front office personnel,” Bird said in a statement.

Individuals associated with the Mad Ants have been through Bankers Life Fieldhouse recently, including Brian Levy,