KJZZ is a service of Rio Salado College,
and Maricopa Community Colleges

Copyright © 2024 KJZZ/Rio Salado College/MCCCD
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

U.S. Airways Center To Become Talking Stick Resort Arena

U.S. Airways Center
(U.S. Airways Center Twitter)
An artist rendering of what the stadium will look like.

There’s a new name for the U.S. Airways Center where the Phoenix Suns, Mercury and Rattlers play their home games. The new name has been provided by a Valley Native American community.

The new name will be Talking Stick Resort Arena after the casino and hotel owned by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa community. Tuesday’s announcement means U.S. Airways will end its 10-year relationship with the arena because the airline chose not to renew its contract.  Phoenix Suns President Jason Rowley said the change will take some time. 

“The transition will happen over the summer," Rowley said. "It usually takes 90 days to do a building transformation when you're talking about changing out signage and permitting and the different art work around the building it all has to be changed out and swapped out."

Rowley would not disclose the financial details of the deal. He said the arena hosts more than 130 events each year.

Steve Shadley was a reporter at KJZZ from 1990 to 1996 and from 2012 to 2015.