The intersection of sports, streetwear, and Black culture just found its ultimate anchor in Indianapolis. In a groundbreaking move announced this week, Pacers Sports & Entertainment has officially named acclaimed designer and creative strategist Jas Bell, widely known as Leonardo Chop, as its new Global Design and Product Director.

Undeniably, this multiyear partnership is a major win for our community. Historically, the fashion of the streets and the culture of the courts have been separated by corporate boundaries. By placing a visionary Black designer at the helm of both the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever franchises, Pacers Sports & Entertainment is actively validating our city’s cultural influence. This ensures that the gear representing Naptown on a global stage is rooted in authentic, high-level storytelling.

A Masterclass in Visual Alchemy

Bell brings a legendary premium portfolio to the fieldhouse. Born in St. Louis, his multidisciplinary approach mirrors the philosophy of Virgil Abloh, seeing absolutely no boundary between fine art and commercial design. Notably, he spent years touring with icons like Pharrell, gaining a unique education in how music and fashion intersect globally.

Most famously, Bell served as the Art Director and Design Lead for SZA, masterminding the visual identity of the record-breaking SOS album cycle. His heavy-hitting influence also extends to executing creative direction for Metro Boomin and designing key merchandise moments for the Super Bowl. Furthermore, his previous collaboration with the Indiana Fever on the Stranger Things capsule earned a prestigious Silver Clio Sports Award.

Elevating the Fan Experience

Through this new role, Bell will use his signature “visual sampling” style to spearhead “seat-to-street” apparel, retail spaces, and exclusive milestone collections. Consequently, fans can look forward to:

• Limited-edition clothing capsules bridging local fandom with global lifestyle trends.
• Custom, culture-fused designs celebrating major moments, including the Pacers’ upcoming game in Mexico City.
• Elevated on-court and off-court aesthetics that turn everyday fan gear into high fashion.

Ultimately, this partnership positions Indy at the absolute vanguard of sports culture. Stay tuned to see how Leonardo Chop flips the script for the city.