A tentative deal between the Phoenix Suns and the city for Talking Stick Resort Arena renovations is in place, according to a report from television station FOX 10.
The city was recently reported to be discussing the Suns’ arena situation in executive sessions, including one that was scheduled for Wednesday. In the summer of 2017, the Suns indicated that they would pursue a major renovation to Talking Stick Resort Arena, but have not finalized a plan to this point. Although the team has a 40-year lease with the city for the downtown arena, the agreement contains a clause that allows the Suns to opt out of the deal in 2022 if the venue is deemed obsolete.
There is reportedly a tentative agreement between the Suns and the city to fund upcoming renovations. There are few details of a potential deal at this point, and a final agreement would only be achieved through a longer process, but the news comes as Phoenix prepares for a March runoff mayoral election. More from FOX 10:
FOX 10 Phoenix has learned that both sides have agreed to pay for renovations to the arena, and that a deal could be completed soon….
The City of Phoenix will elect a new mayor, via a runoff election in March 2019. Mayoral candidate Kate Gallego has made it clear she thinks the taxpayer money potentially spent on renovations could be better used elsewhere.
“I do think there are many people who know putting hundreds of millions into sports arenas is not a top priority for me, and with our significant margin of victory in Tuesday’s election, they may want to get a deal done right away,” said Gallego.
Gallego’s runoff opponent, Daniel Valenzuela, said he at least wants to hear proposals.
As noted, there is a process that any potential deal would have to go through before it is finalized. That process would include public comment and a city council vote.
Talking Stick Resort Arena is currently the fifth-oldest arena in the NBA. Some of the venues that predate it–including Minnesota’s Target Center and Utah’s Vivint Smart Home Arena–recently underwent major renovations.
Image courtesy Visit Phoenix.
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