2026-27

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Three-story, 55,000-square-foot YMCA to serve as a hub for youth basketball, health, wellness and education, with affordable housing units above the facility

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury and Valley of the Sun YMCA today announced plans to develop a $60 million state-of-the-art YMCA in downtown Phoenix, expanding access to programs and opportunities for families across central and south Phoenix. The development underscores Mat Ishbia’s continued commitment to investing in the Phoenix community, creating opportunities and making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. More than a hub for youth basketball, the center will connect children and families with programs focused on education, health and wellness, workforce development and food insecurity. The new facility is scheduled to open in 2029.

“Our impact as an organization extends far beyond basketball,” said Mat Ishbia, Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury owner. “It’s about making a difference in the lives of the people who make Phoenix such a special place. This is more than a building – it’s an investment in our community and its future. It’s a place where kids can discover their potential, families can build meaningful connections and everyone can come together, support one another, and grow. Because our impact won’t be measured only by what happens on the court, but by the lives we touch across the Phoenix community and the opportunities we create together.”

Through the partnership, the Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation and the YMCA will bring together the power of sports, community programming and family support under one roof. The three-story, 55,000-square-foot facility will serve as a premier hub for youth basketball in Arizona, featuring three courts, including one NBA-size court and two high school-size courts. The courts will provide space for camps, clinics, tournaments and other opportunities for young athletes to develop their skills, build confidence and learn the value of teamwork.

“This partnership marks an exciting new chapter for the YMCA and our commitment to downtown Phoenix,” said Bryan Madden, President and CEO of Valley of the Sun YMCA. “Building on nearly 134 years of service, we are reimagining the downtown YMCA to create a place where youth and families can connect, grow and thrive for generations to come. We are grateful to the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury and VanTrust for their partnership and shared commitment to investing in the future of downtown Phoenix.”

Beyond the court, the center will connect children and families with resources designed to support their growth and well-being. Planned programming and services will include tutoring and internships, onsite counselors and coaches, training and career development programs, nutrition classes and a full-service cafe, creating opportunities for young people to develop both as athletes and as individuals while providing families with additional support close to home.

As part of the project, VanTrust Real Estate will develop an additional three stories above the center featuring approximately 60 units of affordable housing. Together, the planned YMCA with housing development will bring youth sports, family resources and housing opportunities together in one downtown location.

The downtown Phoenix YMCA will serve as a lasting community legacy project of NBA All-Star 2027 in Phoenix, extending the impact of All-Star beyond the weekend and into the future of the city. The Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation and the YMCA will plan to host a groundbreaking ceremony during All-Star Weekend, marking the next step toward bringing this shared vision to life.

The project reflects Ishbia’s commitment to investing in Phoenix not only as a destination for world-class sports and entertainment, but as a place where children, families and neighborhoods have opportunities to thrive.

Founded in 1988, Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation is the charitable organization of the Phoenix Suns (NBA), Phoenix Mercury (WNBA), and Valley Suns (NBA G League). The Foundation uses the platform of basketball to provide resources and support to communities across Arizona and contributes more than $5 million to the local community annually and impacts more than 500,000 people each year. Through strategic investments in education, youth development, and community engagement, the Foundation has granted more than $50 million to nonprofit partners since its inception, fostering long-term impact and sustainable growth for underserved communities. More than financial support, the Foundation also spearheads the organization’s involvement with the local community through player appearances, volunteer opportunities, and community events.

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Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury & YMCA to Develop $60 Million State-Of-The-Art YMCA In Downtown Phoenix

Partnership Unites Suns with the Arizona Roots of Early Warning, the Company Behind Zelle® – Which Has Become a Vital Part of Everyday Financial Life for Millions of Americans

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns and Early Warning Services, LLC, the Arizona-based employer behind Paze® and Zelle®, today announced that Paze will succeed PayPal as the team’s Official Jersey Patch Partner. Beginning with the 2026-27 NBA season, the multi-year partnership will bring the Paze logo to the upper left side of all Suns uniforms.

“We had a lot of interest in our patch; it was a very competitive process,” said Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury CEO Josh Bartelstein. “Early Warning stood out because of its long history of innovation in payments, from Zelle to Paze, its deep roots in Arizona and the opportunity to build an innovative partnership that goes well beyond the jersey. Paze will have a meaningful presence across our business and with our fans and members, from ticketing and online checkout to opportunities to enhance the fan experience at our arena. It’s an honor to have a hometown partner on our jerseys.”

For nearly four decades, Early Warning has helped power payments innovation across the United States banking sector from its home in Arizona, where it employs more than 900 people. The company enables financial access, advances reliable and fast payments for consumers and small businesses, and helps banks and credit unions protect the people and businesses they serve. Through its broader portfolio of products, the company supports many Arizona-based banks and credit unions.

The partnership connects that national role and longstanding Arizona presence with the cultural and economic reach of the Suns, whose games and downtown arena generate activity for workers and businesses throughout Phoenix and the broader region.

Paze is an online checkout solution offered by participating financial institutions. Consumers can use eligible cards from financial institutions they already know and use, without creating another payment account. And because actual card numbers are not shared with merchants during transactions, Paze provides a streamlined checkout experience with added security.

“The Paze patch will be seen wherever the Suns play, but this partnership begins at home in Arizona,” said Serge Elkiner, general manager of Paze. “Early Warning has grown here for nearly four decades, and more than 900 of our employees live and work in the state. Having Paze succeed PayPal in one of the most visible positions in sports is an important marker of our momentum, and we’re proud to introduce Paze to one of sports’ most passionate fan bases while supporting the team and communities they call home.”

The partnership extends beyond the jersey. Paze will serve as the Suns’ Official Online Checkout Partner and Official Digital Wallet and become the entitlement partner of the team’s season ticket membership program. Through these platforms, Paze and the Suns will create new opportunities to connect with fans, local businesses, and communities throughout the Valley.

To celebrate the partnership, the Suns and Paze will host promotional activations throughout the season. From Sept. 29 through Oct. 1, fans can get 50% off merchandise at the Suns online team shop at shop.suns.com when they checkout with Paze using promo code PAZE50.

In New York City, where Early Warning is rapidly growing and employs nearly 250 people, the company is the first Founding Partner of Etihad Park, the future home of New York City FC. Etihad Park anchors the broader Willets Point redevelopment in Queens, which is expected to generate $6.1 billion in economic activity over 30 years, create thousands of jobs and deliver 2,500 affordable homes, a public school, hotel, retail and open space.

Together, the Phoenix and New York relationships demonstrate how sports can generate impact far beyond the court or field. For Early Warning, these partnerships create a national platform to connect with fans while supporting places that bring people together, expand economic opportunity, and contribute to the long-term vitality of their communities.

The Suns long-term partnership builds on Early Warning’s growing presence in professional basketball, joining the Atlanta Hawks as one of two NBA teams to feature Paze® on team uniforms.

Fans can learn more about Paze and how to activate their credit and debit cards in the Paze wallet by visiting www.paze.com.

Paze is a reimagined online checkout solution that banks and credit unions offer to consumers and participating merchants, combining eligible U.S. debit and credit cards into a single wallet and eliminating manual card entry. Designed to help solve long-standing challenges in e-commerce, Paze delivers a streamlined experience for both consumers and businesses. More than 220 million credit and debit cards have been added to the Paze checkout solution. To learn more, visit www.paze.com.

phoenix-suns-and-arizona-based-early-warning-services-announce-multi-year-agreement-to-feature-paze-on-all-suns-jerseys-succeeding-paypal-as-the-teams-official-jersey-partner

Phoenix Suns and Arizona-Based Early Warning Services Announce Multi-Year Agreement to Feature Paze® on All Suns Jerseys, Succeeding PayPal as the Team’s Official Jersey Partner

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2026‑27

Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury & YMCA to Develop $60 Million State-Of-The-Art YMCA In Downtown Phoenix

Phoenix Suns and Arizona-Based Early Warning Services Announce Multi-Year Agreement to Feature Paze® on All Suns Jerseys, Succeeding PayPal as the Team’s Official Jersey Partner