On Thursday, the NBA G League and the Phoenix Suns announced that the Suns acquired the rights to own and operate an NBA G League team.
The unnamed team, set to debut in the 2024-25 season, gives all 30 NBA teams a G League affiliate and expands the League to 32 total teams.
The Phoenix @Suns have acquired the right to own & operate an NBA G League team, which will debut in Phoenix during the 2024-25 season. The NBA G League expands to 32 teams, while all 30 NBA teams now own or operate a G League affiliate.
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) February 14, 2024
📰: https://t.co/zwZd1C1z9u
“Bringing a G League team to Phoenix was one of my first priorities as owner,” said Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury team owner Mat Ishbia in a statement. “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.”
Like the Portland Trailblazers, who named its G League team “Rip City Remix,” the Suns will look to the culture to name the team by also recreating history.
In 1968, team ownership held a public contest to name the team, which became the Phoenix Suns.
Now fans will be able to vote on a team name through an online contest that runs through the end of this month. Fans can submit their entries at Suns.com/GLeague and the winner gets free tickets to the team’s inaugural season and $1,000 in cash.
The team’s name and logo will be announced sometime during the spring.
