Suns-Mercury bid to raise fan experience bar

Article posted by Coliseum, April 18^th, 2024

Image: NBA & Phoenix Suns

The National Basketball Association (NBA) team Phoenix Suns, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) team Phoenix Mercury and Cleveland Avenue, a global venture capital firm specializing in investments in lifestyle consumer brands and technology companies, recently announced a partnership that will introduce Cleveland Avenue’s industry leading portfolio of brands, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics, to establish the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona (US) as a hub for innovation, sustainability, unique culinary experiences, and testing ground for cutting-edge technologies.

‘NBA’ quoted Josh Bartelstein, Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as stating, “Our partnership with the Cleveland Avenue is rooted in innovation and future-forward thinking. Together, we will implement modern, state-of-the-art technologies that will provide our fans unprecedented experiences and services at every game, concert and event.”

The Phoenix Suns are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona (US). The Suns compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. They are the only team in their division not to be based in California.

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The Phoenix Mercury is an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona (US) playing in the Western Conference in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). One of eight original franchises, it was founded before the league’s inaugural 1997 season began.

The 18,422-capacity Footprint Center is a multipurpose arena in Phoenix, Arizona. It opened under the name America West Arena on June 6^th, 1992 at a cost of $89 million. It serves as the digs of the Phoenix Suns and the Phoenix Mercury.

Chicago (US)-based the Cleveland Avenue is a global venture capital firm that invests in lifestyle consumer brands and technology companies that positively disrupt large and growing markets. The company’s mission is to foster growth for a new generation of lifestyle consumer brands and technology companies that positively disrupt large and growing markets. They provide the best financial resources, expertise and individual support available.

New York (US)-based the National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams. It is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada and is considered the premier professional basketball league in the world.

New York (US)-based the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) – colloquially known as ‘The W’ – is a women’s professional basketball league composed of 12 teams, all based in the United States. The league was founded on April 22^nd, 1996 as the women’s counterpart to the National Basketball Association (NBA) and league play started in 1997.

Maintained Don Thompson, Founder and head honcho, Cleveland Avenue, LLC, “The Cleveland Avenue stands at the intersection of insight and opportunity within the fan experience landscape, uniting the founders, the investment partners and the global visionaries. Our partnership with the Phoenix Suns and the Phoenix Mercury is a shared vision around innovation, entrepreneurship and making a positive impact in our communities.”

‘NBA’ stated that the Cleveland Avenue is also one of the principal owners of Footprint, the official sustainability partner of the Suns and Mercury. The Cleveland Avenue’s innovative food and beverage (F&B) technologies will be integrated into suites and concessions alongside Footprint’s eco-friendly packaging solutions by the end of the year.

Gilbert (US)-based Footprint is a Materials Science organization that engineers fiber-based packaging in an effort to address the environmental crisis of plastic pollution. Its plant-based fiber alternatives to plastic are made from sources like double-lined kraft (a strong paper or cardboard made from wood pulp produced from wood chips boiled in an alkaline solution containing sodium sulfate). These can be compostable, biodegradable and recyclable.

Exulted Dan Costello, Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury Executive Vice-President and Chief Revenue Officer, “We’re excited to partner with the Cleveland Avenue and raise the bar on fan experience. The arena has served as an innovation lab for Footprint’s sustainable packaging solutions and now we will have the opportunity to implement and test other cutting-edge technologies.”

The Cleveland Avenue’s strategic partnerships are a key ingredient in driving successful outcomes for the innovative entrepreneurs.

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