PHOENIX — Editor's note: The above video aired in a previous broadcast.
For the past 13 seasons, there is one fan cheering on the Phoenix Suns who is hard to miss: his name is Mr. ORNG, otherwise known as Patrick Battillo, and he dons orange shoes, leggings, shirt, glasses, wig and orange paint at games. Mr. ORNG and his iconic paint have been a staple at Phoenix Suns games for over a decade.
But tonight will be Mr. ORNG’s last night with paint, according to a post on his X, formerly known as Twitter, account.
Battillo said in his post that he does not want to “risk the long-term impact of wearing paint.”
“This is season 14 and I want to ensure I have many more to come!” Battillo said in his post.
Even though he won’t be wearing his usual paint, Battillo did allude to a new look coming soon – at the Suns game on Halloween, where Phoenix will take on San Antonio at home.
If you are at the game, be sure to stop by for a picture, Battillo wrote in his tweet.
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to five major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks and NHL's Arizona Coyotes.
The Cardinals have made the State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers also play at the Footprint. Phoenix has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events on a yearly basis, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Cactus Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the Waste Management Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall; and Cactus League Spring Training.
Sports
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