The Phoenix Suns Arena will now be known as the “Footprint Center,” named after their new partner: local material science and environmentalist company, Footprint. This partnership will reportedly advance environmentalist initiatives concerning plastics. The company’s main initiative is eliminating single-use plastics entirely.
Included in the partnership are the valley’s professional men’s and women’s basketball teams, the Phoenix Suns and Mercury, as well as the professional men’s soccer team, Real Mallorca.
“A pledge to champion a healthy planet and healthy people,” wrote the Suns in an announcement. “The Phoenix Suns, Mercury and Real Mallorca form a global partnership for newly named Footprint Center to become a transformative venue to accelerate a plastic-free future.”
A pledge to champion a healthy planet and healthy people.
The Phoenix Suns, Mercury and Real Mallorca form a global partnership for newly named Footprint Center to become a transformative venue to accelerate a plastic-free future.@planetfootprint pic.twitter.com/A9h1F8g1Lf
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) July 16, 2021
According to a press release from Footprint, the vision for the arena will include replacing plastics with sustainable packaging for foods and drinks, as well as education for fans.
Phoenix Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver said this decision would lead to significant changes in the environment.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Footprint to reduce the arena’s dependency on single and short-term plastics by making Footprint Center a hub for sustainable products and packaging,” said Sarver. “Integrating Footprint’s plant-based fiber technology into our core business functions will mobilize partners and fans to drive collective and systemic change, in our arena and beyond.”
Footprint noted in their promotional video that their partnership would also result in a living innovation lab to create these plastic alternatives. In turn, the company projected that this initiative will make a global impact to transform sports and entertainment venues.
This latest partnership is part of Footprint’s larger effort to eliminate single-use plastics from all venues, restaurants, and companies.
The timing of this announcement was purposeful, according to both the Phoenix Suns and Footprint. The men’s basketball team is currently competing in the NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks. The two teams are tied, each having won two of the four final games.
It is the Phoenix Suns’ first shot at the championship since 1993, when the team lost all six games against the Chicago Bulls. They’ve never won the championship in their 53 years of existence.
The next championship game is scheduled for Saturday.
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Corinne Murdock is a reporter at The Arizona Sun Times and the Star News Network. Follow her latest on Twitter or email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Talking Stick Resort Arena” by Tony Webster. CC BY 2.0.
