Footprint Center in Phoenix, USA
Featured image credit: Troutfarm27/CC BY-SA 4.0/Edited for size
The Phoenix Suns NBA team is seeking a fan experience boost at the Footprint Center by offering innovative new payment solutions through an extension of its partnership with PayPal.
The new deal, which runs until 2026, will see the payments giant continue as a shirt sponsor of the Arizona-based team.
The organisations said that as part of the enhanced multi-year deal, they will now increase their focus on supporting small businesses throughout the region and enhancing online and in-venue payment solutions.
PayPal will continue to be the Suns’ official payments partner and be integrated across all payment channels operated by the Suns, including single game tickets, season tickets, merchandise, and concerts.
PayPal and Venmo branding will be prominently displayed throughout Footprint Center and during telecasts and on social platforms.
Josh Bartelstein, chief executive of the Phoenix Suns, said: “Our organisations share a commitment to the people of the Valley, and we are pleased to have a partner whose mission, vision and values align so closely with what we believe in as an organisation.
“We prioritise our fans, our customers, and our people in everything we do, with the goal of creating better experiences for everyone that we interact with at a game or purchasing environment.”
The partners – who first teamed up in 2018 – said their new agreement centres around their increased commitment to driving community and small business impact, including a Jersey Giveback program where a portion of proceeds from all jersey sales will be donated to local non-profits.
“In 2018, PayPal and the Phoenix Suns came together to form a partnership with the common goal of enhancing the fan experience on and off the court,” said Dan Schulman, president and chief executive of PayPal. “Together we have put PayPal at the centre of the customer experience when buying merchandise, tickets and more in the arena, online or via the Phoenix Suns app.”
Last month, Mat Ishbia completed the acquisition of the controlling ownership interest in the Suns and Phoenix Mercury (WNBA) franchises, the operating entity for Footprint Center and affiliated entities. The deal was worth a reported $4bn (£3.29bn/€3.76bn), which represents a record price for an NBA basketball franchise.
Ishbia, a former national champion with Michigan State University, is the chairman, president and chief executive of United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM), a leading US mortgage lender.
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