Phoenix Suns to debut new NBA G League team in 2024

PHOENIX — The Phoenix sports scene is getting a little bigger. The Phoenix Suns will soon have an NBA G League team playing in the Phoenix metro area.

The Suns announced on Feb. 14 they acquired the right to own and operate an NBA G League team, which is set to debut in the 2024-25 season. The expansion brings the total number of teams in the G League to 32. With the addition of Phoenix, now all 30 NBA teams across the country own or operate an NBA G League affiliate. 

“Bringing a G League team to Phoenix was one of my first priorities as owner,” Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury team owner Mat Ishbia said in a news release. “Adding a G League team creates another area for us to compete to be the best and will be a vital tool to help develop players and coaches. Just like the Suns and Mercury, our G League team will serve as a community asset and make a positive impact on and off the court.”

The NBA G League is the NBA's official minor league, preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers and front-office staff for the NBA. It also serves as the league's "research and development lab," according to the website.

Paying homage to how the Phoenix Suns were named in a 1968 public contest, the new G League team will be named via an online contest. The contest runs through Feb. 28 and the winning submission will receive free tickets to the inaugural NBA G League season and a $1,000 cash prize. For a full list of rules, click here.

“We are honored to welcome Mat Ishbia and the Phoenix Suns to the NBA G League, and are thrilled to achieve our long-stated goal that each of the 30 NBA teams has an NBA G League affiliate,” NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim said in a news release. “The NBA G League has never been more valuable to NBA teams than it is today, and the Suns’ investment only reinforces that reality. I can’t wait to join fans in the Valley next season to enjoy the unique brand of NBA G League basketball.”

The Suns NBA G League will play home games in the Phoenix metro area. The venue, logo and name will be announced in the spring, according to a news release. 

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 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 play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale. The Coyotes play at Mullett Arena on ASU's Tempe campus. 

Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix. 

The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events on a yearly basis, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises. 

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