INDIANAPOLIS - The Pacers biggest win so far this season came Monday — off the court. One day after breaking out of a slump by beating Oklahoma City and hours before Miami rested its star players, essentially ceding the top seed in the East, the citys Capital Improvement Board approved a new deal that would help the Pacers stay financially competitive in one of the NBAs smallest markets. In exchange for providing $164 million to pay for operating costs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse over the next 10 years, the Pacers agreed to extend a lease agreement that will keep them in Indy for up to 13 more seasons. Board members voted 8-0 in favour of the deal. "This is a major factor helping us get on solid financial ground going forward," Pacers president Jim Morris said Monday. Its not the first time the Pacers have sought public assistance. Three years ago, team owner Herb Simon contended that he was losing money and could not continue to afford paying $15 million in annual operating costs. The CIB stepped in and agreed to spend up to $33.5 million through 2013. Now the quasi-government agency that runs Bankers Life Fieldhouse, home of the citys NBA team and WNBAs Indiana Fever; Lucas Oil Stadium, home to the NFLs Colts, and the citys convention centre will spend in excess of $10.8 million annually over the life of the deal. The contract runs for 10 years and includes three one-year extensions with the Pacers having the option for the first of those years. The last two will be mutually agreed upon. In return, the Pacers have agreed to stay at Bankers Life Fieldhouse and will give city leaders the "right of first offer" in the event the 79-year-old Simon dies and his heirs attempt to sell the team. The provision means the city could designate a new potential owner and that person would be able to make the first offer on the team or could match an offer from someone else. "With this agreement, one of our citys most important facilities will get some critical upgrades and continue to be home to some of our most amazing events," board president Ann Lathrop said after the vote. Critics argue that Simon, who is estimated to be worth more than $1 billion according to Forbes magazine, should foot the bill and that city leaders should fix roads and find more money for its understaffed police department. Mayor Greg Ballard contended the money in this deal couldnt be spent on those services anyway, though the new deal could create more money for those purposes. "By law, this money cant go there anyway," he said. "Its Economics 101. Youre trying to create more revenue for everything else. The assumption is that the pie is one size and thats not true at all. Youre trying to expand the pie." Simon has been frugal with his payroll. Larry Bird, the president of basketball operations, has made it clear Simon will not pay the NBAs luxury tax — the penalty for going substantially over the leagues salary cap. And the CIB investment should help the Pacers bottom line. The deal calls for the board to pay: — $3.7 million annually for fieldhouse operating expenses such as liability insurance, security and utilities; — $7.1 million in reimbursements for management of the arena, a price that includes an annual 3 per cent annual escalator clause: — $26.6 million in capital improvements to "major systems" such as locker rooms, concession stands and seating; — and half of the cost from the scoreboard the Pacers installed two years ago, taking over ownership at the end of the lease. The Pacers and Fever are the primary tenants at Bankers Life, but the arena hosts up to 500 different events throughout the year — everything from Indiana state basketball championships to concerts and other shows, all of which experts say helps the city prosper. But its the Pacers who needed the most help, and Morris believes this deal will keep them more competitive for the long run. "Were doing better," he said. "Weve had 28 sellouts this year, our attendance is up 15 per cent and our sponsorship is up. But weve had a tough 10 years and weve had substantial losses. Were making progress. For 10 or 11 years, we tried to find a way for the franchise to pay for the operating expenses of the building and we just couldnt." Terrence Brooks Jersey .com) - Semyon Varlamov more than earned his third shutout of the season as he made a career-high 54 saves to lift the Colorado Avalanche to a 2-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. Tedy Bruschi Jersey . The appointment of Boullier continues the behind-the-scenes restructuring at McLaren, who recently brought back former team principal Ron Dennis as its new chief executive. https://www.patriotsjerseysale.com/.m. ET, CBSOPENING LINE — Falcons by 3 1/2RECORD VS. Phillip Dorsett II Jersey . Colorado came up big against Chicago last spring, and repeated that performance Tuesday night. Varlamov stopped 36 shots and Paul Stastny had a goal and an assist for the Avalanche in a 5-1 victory over the Blackhawks. Mohamed Sanu Sr. Jersey . They started shooting the puck. Joe Pavelski had a hat trick to move into a tie for second in the NHL in goals and the Sharks beat Philadelphia 7-3 Thursday night in the first game for both teams following the Olympic break. MILWAUKEE -- One slugger back, one slugger down for the Milwaukee Brewers. Outfielder Ryan Braun has been activated from the 15-day disabled list after being sidelined with a right oblique strain. He started Tuesday nights game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Third baseman Aramis Ramirez was placed on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring. He got hurt fielding a bouncer in Saturday nights 5-4 win over the Yankees. The battered Brewers lost another key player when outfielder Carlos Gomez left the Pirates game after the bottom of the fifth with lower back tightness. He was considered day-to-day. Braun was hitting .318 with six homers and 18 RBIs when he got hurt. Seeing Ramirez go down didnt add any extra urgency, Braun said. The Brewers had discussed possibly sending Braun to the minors for a rehab game Monday but weather and travel issues curtailed that plan. Instead, the slugger was back his customary No. 3 position in the batting order Tuesday. "I think hes going to be good. Hes a guy that when he sat in the past hes been pretty good rright off, so Im hoping thats what happens," manager Ron Roenicke said.dddddddddddd Neither Roenicke nor Ramirez knew how long it might take for the veteran third baseman to get over his pulled hamstring, the first such injury of Ramirezs 16-year career. Milwaukee on Tuesday also optioned outfielder Caleb Gindl back to Triple-A Nashville and recalled utility man Elian Herrera, who was batting .359 in the minors. Herreras versatility should help if Gomez has to begin a suspension this week for his role in a benches-clearing scrum against the Pirates in April. Milwaukee expected to hear soon from the National League about Gomezs appeal. It has been a tough few days for Gomez. Milwaukees leadoff hitter was hit in the left forearm by a pitch Sunday against the Yankees; he was hit on the arm again Tuesday on a changeup by Pirates starter Gerrit Cole. For the Pirates, Starling Marte was out of the starting lineup again with a sore back, though manager Clint Hurdle said it was possible the outfielder might be available off the bench. ' ' '