The Indiana Pacers would consider moving the NBA franchise to a new city if the city doesn't agree to cover the cost to run Conseco Fieldhouse.

Since the 18,345-seat venue opened 11 years ago, the Pacers' lease with the city has required the organization to pay for the building's general operating costs, estimated at $15 million per year.

But since March 2009, owner Herb Simon and the Pacers' top brass have insisted the economics of operating a small-market NBA franchise make it fiscally impossible to also pay to keep the arena running.

The Pacers signed their current 20-year lease with the city in 1999, but a clause in that contract allows the team to renegotiate its terms with the city's Capital Improvement Board after 10 years.

On Tuesday, Pacers Sports & Entertainment President Jim Morris said if a deal isn't inked by June 30, Simon would have to start searching for other solutions, and nothing would be off the table.

"We've been having conversations with the Ballard administration for two years," Morris said, "and we're now at the point where we need to wrap this up in the next 30, 40 days."

The Pacers and city leaders are working hard to make sure that doesn't happen.

"We have not had conversations with other cities. We do not want the team to move," Morris said. "In the event that we're not able to address the issues, you have to look at all your options, but Herb has never threatened to move the team, and it's not a matter of leverage; it's a matter of trying to find a way to make this work."