The Phoenix Suns have formally sent their intent to host future NBA All-Star Games, per Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic.
Alongside the Suns, the Phoenix Mercury also expressed their respective interest to stage a WNBA All-Star Weekend.
In a statement, team governor Mat Ishbia is hopeful and looking forward to connecting the game to the city and fans, as Phoenix stands as one of the notable basketball places in the field.
“We’re excited to partner with the city of Phoenix to engage the NBA and WNBA to bring both All-Star Games to the Valley,” Suns and Mercury majority owner Ishbia said. “Phoenix is one of the great basketball cities in the world and the perfect place to bring together the players and fans to celebrate the sport. The Phoenix Suns and Mercury want to continue finding new and important ways to partner with the city to bring real impact to our community.”
Added by Rankin, these proposals sent by two basketball clubs will be tackled in next week’s Phoenix City Council meeting.
Phoenix previously hosted the 2009 All-Star Weekend, with both Shaquille O’Neal and the late Kobe Bryant sharing the MVP award of the game festivities.
The area also featured the All-Star Game in 1995 within the American West Arena, and last 1975 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
“We’re doing things differently in Phoenix, and the sports world has noticed,” Phoenix mayor Kate Gallego said in a statement. “From world-class facilities like Footprint Center to our sustainable, innovative transportation options like light rail or Waymo driverless taxis, Phoenix has everything we need to put on a successful major event like the WNBA and NBA All-Star Games.
“I’m excited to support our bids to be a host city and am looking forward to hearing positive news back from the WNBA and NBA.”
Next year’s NBA All-Star Weekend will take place in Indianapolis at Banker’s Life Fieldhouse. The city was set to fulfill the hosting rights in 2021, but both the league and the Indiana Pacers agreed to move the date and allow Atlanta to take over with COVID-19 pandemic still posing health and safety threats.
