Larry Bird has decided to call it quits as president of the Indiana Pacers.
Bird is “100 percent sure” he will not return as president of the team, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told The Star on Monday.
Bird, 55, is expected to meet with owner Herb Simon today to finalize his departure.
Bird’s departure will end what had become annual speculation about his future. He and Simon operated under a yearly handshake agreement because Bird was not interested in a long-term commitment.
Bird spoke like he was planning to return for another season during his season-ending news conference last month.
“(I want to talk to Simon about) the direction of the team, what kind of job he thinks we’re doing, if there’s anything he sees that we should be doing better,” Bird said May 30. “Just a number of questions. I’ve got a lot of them written down to ask him, and hopefully we can get the answers we like and move on.”
Bird, who is dealing with some health issues (back and shoulder), will likely take a year off before deciding if he wants to return to any sort of front-office position.
Larry Bird
>> Born: Dec. 7, 1956 (age 55) at West Baden, Ind.
>> High school: Springs Valley, French Lick, Ind. Earned Indiana All Star honors.
>> College: Indiana State. Won national player of year honors in 1979 as a senior for leading undefeated Sycamores to national title game, where ISU lost to Michigan State and Magic Johnson.
>> Pro: Thirteen seasons at forward for Boston Celtics; 12-time All Star, 3-time NBA MVP, three NBA titles.
>> Basketball Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1998.
>> Nicknames: Larry Legend. The Hick from French Lick.