The Indiana Pacers 'Yes 'Cers' rally cry, explained
Welcome to FTW Explains: a guide to catching up on and better understanding stuff going on in the world. Are you wondering about all this "Yes 'Cers" stuff during the 2025 NBA Finals. And you're confused? We got you covered.
If you're just tuning into the NBA Playoffs or catching the Indiana Pacers for the first time this season, you may be wondering when Indiana became so obsessed with "Yes 'Cers" as rallying cry. The phrase is everywhere — especially at the Pacers' Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Let's explain how we got here.
So, what's up with the whole "Yes 'Cers" rally cry?
Ok, you know how sometimes people say "Yes, sir" in celebration? It's pretty much like that. But instead of 'Sir' it's "Cer" as in Pacers. Yes, it's really that simple.
It's also become a whole playoff identity for the state of Indiana. There are Yes 'Cer billboards, Yes 'Cer murals and Yes 'Cer merch galore. None of this is shocking because most teams find playoff slogans, but in Indy it's become fully embraced by the fandom.
How big of a deal could it really be?
The Pacers celebrated their return to the NBA Finals for the first time 25 years by giving away free bags of Yes 'Cers gear. It was so popular that downtown Indianapolis — a place commonly referred to as 'Nap Town' because of how sleepy it is — flooded with bumper-to-bumper traffic leading to multiple complaints.
Per the IndyStar:
While thousands waited in line for their 'Yes'Cers' swag bags downtown, many took to social media to complain about the wait and the traffic jam the Pacers giveaway caused during rush hour.
Major intersections gridlocked as drivers in quest of the Pacers gear formed a one-lane traffic flow to the South Pennsylvania Street side of Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Is there a Yes 'Cers anthem yet?
Of course there is. Come on, now. You can thank singer-songwriter and die-hard Pacers fan Josh Chalfant for the track.
"For years I've wanted to write a song for one of my sports teams," Chalfant told Axios. "I just had this 'Yes 'Cers' melody going through my head. It happened quickly, within minutes."
Is that all?
Yes 'Cer.
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