PHOENIX — The WNBA announced on Saturday that the 2024 All-Star Game will be held in Phoenix at the Footprint Center, home of the three-time WNBA Mercury. This will be the third time Phoenix has hosted the midseason showcase (2000, 2014) since its inception in 1999. In an exclusive interview with 12Sports anchor Lina Washington, Mat Ishbia, owner of the Mercury and Suns, expressed his excitement for the event coming to the Valley next summer.
“I’m out here in Las Vegas, I'm excited to go and support Brittney (Griner) tonight in the game. She's been a great player but also, she’s gone through so many things. So, to be here at the All-Star Game with her, it means a lot to me I know she's excited about being there for the fans,” Ishbia said. “And I’m learning! Seeing all the great things they’re doing now in Las Vegas; they've done a great job putting on the All-Star festivities. I'm going to do the same thing and then add our own Phoenix spin to it and make it even better in all different ways.”
Ishbia stressed the opportunity to showcase the greater Phoenix area, the renovated arena, basketball fans in the Valley and the community at large. Many fans are already viewing next summer’s All-Star to be a celebration of Mercury legend Diana Taurasi who is in the twilight of Hall of Fame career.
“She’s the best of all time. She’s an amazing person and player. I told her we were going to try to bring [All-Star] here for next season, I know that probably is her last season. Of course, we’d love having her around as much as we can,” Ishbia said. “I think that will be a great way to send off one of the best of all time; having the All-Star game in her city… She’s built the organization. She is the Phoenix Mercury and she’s done an amazing job for so many years.”
Next summer is setting up to be a celebration of Taurasi’s career and contributions to the game. In addition to the 2024 All-Star Game in Phoenix, it’s set to be an Olympic year. Mercury stars Taurasi, Griner, and Skylar Diggins-Smith helped Team USA bring home the gold medal in the Tokyo games two years ago. In a statement provided by the Phoenix Mercury, WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert emphasized the importance of celebrating one of the league’s original and most successful organizations.
“Having an inaugural WNBA franchise in the Mercury host this two-day celebration is perfect as the basketball world focuses its eyes on the WNBA and today’s greatest stars,” Engelbert said.
The Phoenix Mercury also made the announcement official by holding a press conference expanding upon the news Monday morning. Mercury CEO, Josh Bartelstein, said the event itself is much more than just the game of basketball.
“This isn’t just about the game,” Bartelstein said. “It’s about women in sports, the event itself and the local businesses that surround our arena.”
Mercury legend Diana Taurasi was also in attendance along with several of her teammates and she echoed similar sentiments. Taurasi has spent her entire 19-year career with the franchise, made an All-Star appearance when the event was held in Phoenix back in 2014 and said this decision was a no-brainer to bring it back to the Valley.
“Just the growth of our city alone,” Taurasi said. “When you think how far this city has come in ten years, I’ve traveled a lot over the years and most downtowns have gone out the window. But ours, for whatever reason, just keeps getting better year by year and just the resilience of the city to make this happen again!”
But the press conference highlighted more than just the festivities fans can expect when visiting the Valley next summer. They also touched on community initiatives which plan to help the youth throughout Phoenix. The Mercury announced their desire to help with a court renovation for Chicanos Por La Causa De Colores Shelter and the establishment of an all-girls basketball league.
Monday signified yet another step in the right direction for the city of Phoenix proving it belongs hosting premier events and showcasing it is a true sports town through and through. Next year’s WNBA All-Star weekend will tip-off at the Footprint Center with the skills challenge and 3-Point Shootout on July 19, followed by the All-Star game itself on the 20th.
You can find more information on the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game here.
Follow the conversation with Lina Washington on Twitter: @LWashingtonTV. If you have a sports story idea, e-mail Lina at LWashington@12News.com.
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