Suns owner Robert Sarver delivered an important message to fans on Thursday, denying that he’ll move his team out of Phoenix if Talking Stick Resort Arena doesn’t undergo a $230MM upgrade.
“The Phoenix Suns are not leaving Phoenix,” Sarver said. “I am 100% committed, and have been for the last four years, to find a solution to keep them in downtown Phoenix where they belong.”
A Suns city council member told Laurie Roberts of the Arizona Republic that Sarver threatened to take the team to Seattle or Las Vegas if the new arena deal isn’t approved, but the council member has since walked his comments back on the two cities, according to Roberts. However, Suns CEO and President Jason Rowley acknowledged the possibility of moving the team somewhere else in the Valley or out of state only as a last resort.
Sarver purchased the Suns for $401MM back in 2004. The franchise has made the postseason just five times in that span, with their last appearance coming during the 2009-10 season. They have the league’s worst record at 4-24 through 28 games.
“I’m a strong proponent — as evident by the term sheet I signed last week — that we should renovate the Talking Stick Resort Arena and once again restore it to a world-class facility,” Sarver said. “In addition, it is important for the Phoenix Suns to build a first-class practice facility so the players of the Suns and Phoenix Mercury can continue to develop. I am 100% all-in on keeping this team right here where we stand, and I want to make sure that message comes across crystal clear.”
Talking Stick Resort Arena — formerly known as the US Airways Center — has been the home of the Suns since 1992. The Phoenix city council will vote on January 23 on the proposal, which could also extend the Suns’ contract to play in the arena until 2032, according to Fox 10 Phoenix.
They just need go to Las Vegas. It has way more attraction than Phoenix. Plus the fans will travel to see them play.
That is hilarious.
Suns should trade Booker. He should fetch a good return by false advertising him as a star. There’s no way he’s an actual franchise player though if his team can’t even win a quarter of the games.
Thank you for this comment! Accurate to the T! Booker is a bum glorified on a bad team, high volume shooter who produces mediocre results and plays no d. Would definately be smart to get something for him. Trae young or doncic would have been better picks honestly.
Booker was not in the same draft class and Young or Doncic. How did you confuse Booker with DeAndre Ayton?
Suns could actually b on the up and up next season with a RJ Barrett addition and a couple smart trades or signings to find an actual PG and an actual back up PG.
You see our poor Sarver got murdered here about the threat of moving the team, but as always he never said that, it was a council member, a politician, this people are a real cancer in society, can’t wait for the day, soon enough, when will be no more politicians.
He got embarrassed after van gundy finessed him
Bit of a reach by cesc that there will be a day when no politicians will exist, but do agree that this smells of one misrepresenting facts to create an outcry from local fans, putting pressure on Sarver to cave.
What about where the coyotes play?
Yes.
This guy has destroyed a once proud franchise that sold out every game
If it was reported that Saver made this specific threat, and he didn’t, then that’s 100% on the media outlet that reported it. Not on some politician or any other “source” regardless of what they said.
Phoenix punches below its weight for a big market, and is thus more like a middle market for a sports franchise. But it’s really hard to see the league allowing this franchise to skip from here.
Seattle says Hi.