Even if they haven’t found much success in the playoffs, the Phoenix Suns have had some of the most iconic squads in sports history. Steve Nash made people pack other arenas wanting to watch him play during his time in the desert, just like Charles Barkley before him.
Now, younger Suns fans are often rooting for their squad at Footprint Center, one of the best sports venues in the NBA. While not the most modern, it’s one of the most ecological ones, and hopefully, it’ll set the standard for how sports venues operate in the future.
The pride of downtown Phoenix, this beautiful building opened its doors in 1992, then known as America West Arena. Ever since it has undergone multiple name changes, from Airways Center to Talking Stick Resort Arena to Phoenix Suns Arena. But much more has changed besides the name.
Footprint, a leading company in terms of eliminating waste and single-use plastic, made sure to make a positive impact as soon as they got the naming rights deal. Footprint makes sustainable products and sustainable packaging, which is why them joining the sports venue business was such a big deal.
So, if you’re wondering about the new technologies that corporate sponsors have vowed to apply in this building or just want to know more about the home arena of the Suns, keep scrolling, as you’ve come to the right place.
Phoenix Suns Arena: Why Is It No Longer Stick Resort Arena?
All sports venues operate through sponsorships and naming rights. This arena used to be known as America West Arena, US Airways Center, Talking Stick Resort Arena, and Phoenix Suns Arena before being known as Footprint Center.
Since 2021, Arizona-based firm Footprint reaffirmed its commitment as one of the private companies looking to enforce positive change and eliminate single-use plastics by reaching an agreement to buy the naming rights of the arena and implementing sustainable products on it.
“This is one of the most unique partnerships in sports” said Suns’ owner Robert Sarver, per CNBC. “We’re going to innovate and transform how sports venues operate. The idea is Footprint will create an innovation lab for us within our arena, and then we can take that and get other arenas throughout the world interested in doing the same thing.”
Footprint, which takes pride in being an environmental-based tech company, will get full access to use plant-based packaging products developed on their innovation lab in all the concerts, games, and other events on the “new arena.”
What happened to America West Arena?
Located in downtown Phoenix, the former America West Arena only cost $89 million. It opened its doors in 1992 looking to create a place where Phoenix’s fans could attend top-notch entertainment and sports events.
As we mentioned before, it was originally named America West Arena. Nonetheless, the site eventually underwent several name changes, with Footprint becoming their most recent managing partner.
While the center hasn’t closed its doors and continues to be located in the very same place, it’s gone through multiple renovations, so it’s basically a whole new arena.
When did it stop being Talking Stick Resort Arena?
Years after the naming rights were owned by US Airways, hotel company Talking Stick Resort reach an agreement in 2014 to rename the arena.
The agreement ran through 2020 and the company decided that they wouldn’t continue to be their managing partner due to the financial terms and the post-COVID-19 situation. So, the venue was known as Phoenix Suns arena (or PHX Arena) until Footprint swooped in to give them its new arena name.
What can you bring into Footprint Center?
As it happens in most arenas, fans attending games at Footprint Center can’t access the premises with outside food, bottles, coolers, or beverages. However, they allow one sealed water bottle per fan. Also, this being one of the most unique partnerships in the sports world, you can expect top-notch technology in every single area of the arena.
Is Footprint Center Cashless?
From tickets to food to everything else; Footprint Center features 100% cashless and contactless payment methods. And, with a company like Footprint running the site, every single item you get will be bio-based and made out of recyclable fibers.
The Arizona-based firm develops biodegradable and compostable packaging and was recently included recognized on the 2021 CNBC Disruptor 50 list, which speaks volumes of their commitment to the environment and imposing positive change around the world.
Have The Phoenix Suns Won A Championship?
Unfortunately, no. The Phoenix Suns are one of the few franchises that have never won an NBA championship. They’re joined by the Orlando Magic, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies, Indiana Pacers, and Charlotte Hornets.
Nonetheless, the Suns have made it to the NBA Finals three times in history: 1976, 1993, and 2021. Back in 1976, they couldn’t get past the almighty Boston Celtics, who won their 13th title. Then, it was Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls who stopped reigning MVP Charles Barkley from reaching the ultimate glory. Last but not least, the Suns couldn’t get the job done against a Milwaukee Bucks squad that won their first ring in five decades.
But even if they haven’t found as much success as they’d hope by now, the Phoenix Suns can always count on their fans attending Footprint Center.
Are The Phoenix Suns Good?
Yes, despite not winning a title ever, the Phoenix Suns have become one of the powerhouses of the Western Conference over the past couple of years. Their core of Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, and Chris Paul led them to the NBA Finals in 2021 but as we mentioned before, they couldn’t get past Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Phoenix Suns defeated LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round before sweeping reigning MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in the second round. Then, they finished on top of the Los Angeles Clippers to seal their return to the ultimate stage after a 28-year hiatus.
The Suns have built a strong defensive identity under coach Monty Williams and CP3’s playmaking skills took their offense to a whole new level. So, even if it was the same thing in the Finals, Suns fans still flooded the venue night in and night out to root for them.
Chris Paul and company were just a couple of wins away from achieving the ultimate glory. Now, they’ll look to prove to their doubters that their success wasn’t just a fluke and that they have what it takes to bring a trophy to Footprint Center.
Hopefully, they’ll be able to put an end to their championship drought and join the long list of sports champions once and for all. Given the recent events and how local journalism has attacked team owner Robert Sarver, winning an NBA title would be one of the few events that could drive attention away from a potential team sale.
So, if you’re ever near the area and want to watch the Suns, Phoenix Mercury, or Arizona Rattlers play while also helping eliminate single-use plastic, then you better know that this beautiful building called FootPrint Center is the place to go.
