The Phoenix Suns held their media day for the 2025-26 season on Wednesday and owner Mat Ishbia had a lot to say. He was in advance about the failures of the last iteration of this team, although there was some confusion about what exactly will be a successful season, because he could not decide whether winning games is important or not.
Ishbia also stated that – as Fan experiences go – the valley is pretty good. The prices around the footprint center were lowered during his time that the management was, while he was high in the fact that fans could come two hours prior to the tip, unlike the 90 minutes of other teams. Something he has referred to a few times.
Ishbia forgot to give fans a good team to cheer every night.
The owner of both The Suns and Mercury also quickly pointed out that being able to watch the teams in Arizona in Arizona for free is another massive victory that is not essentially experienced every other market, and he is right about that. Ishbia is great in trying to inspire the next generation fans – and because of his dedication not to praise the average fan – he supports his speech.
But when giving all these examples about why the fans are cared for, Ishbia forgot to mention the most important aspect of experience for those who support the suns. Actually, having a selection on the field that is exciting and tries to win games, something that is sitting on the back this season.
Compare that with the last two campaigns – and despite the fact that he has Kevin Durant to go with Devin Booker – it always felt like that special something was missing. It is difficult to explain exactly what that was, although a lack of caring or trying to defend and take care of the basketball, drove a lot of the fan base crazy while they rumbled the chance to fight a title.
Compare that with the schedule that went to the NBA final in 2021 – one that took his nodules on the way to do this – and how much they were loved. The hope is now that ISHBIA can reinstall that magic from the past – and in the having a fully formed superstar in Booker for the ride – he has already solved the most difficult part of this process.
His presence alone will sell tickets and merchandise, and the hope is that the young people around him are evolving to the answer from this team to Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson. Even Cam Payne received the play -off heroism in the past. We know that this will take time, but it would be no harm to hear Ishbia talking about actually trying to build a team that the fans can also find out.
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