In an era where fans often feel priced out or boxed in, the Suns and Mercury continue to carve a different path. Their media rights deal with Gray Media, already a landmark shift when it launched in 2023, has now been extended through 2028. This cements free, over-the-air access to Suns, Mercury, and Valley Suns games across Arizona. It’s a move that doubles down on the organization’s fan-first ethos, one that has already transformed how the Valley connects with its teams.
In a statement from the
Suns:
The Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury and Gray Media today announced a multi-year extension of their landmark media rights partnership that will ensure Suns, Mercury as well as Valley Suns games are available to fans across Arizona over-the-air for free through 2028.
“This has always been about the fans. We were the first to make games available free over-the-air, bringing Suns and Mercury games to more fans in Arizona than ever before,” said Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury owner Mat Ishbia. “We’re excited to keep our games free and accessible – growing our fanbase and the game of basketball by ensuring everyone in Arizona has access to watch the Suns and Mercury.”
Launched in 2023, the deal was the first local broadcast partnership in the NBA and WNBA to go exclusively over-the-air and away from the traditional and limited regional sports model, ushering in a new era of the fan viewing experience. Ishbia led a campaign that distributed more than 10,000 free antennas to ensure fans across Arizona had access to the games on local channels. With expanded reach – for free – viewership for Suns games more than doubled since moving to Arizona’s Family, averaging 125,000+ amongst viewers age two or older compared to 63,000 viewers prior to the switch. Viewership for Mercury games increased 425%.
“We know the power of broadcast television and were confident the partnership would move the needle,” said Pat LaPlatney, Co-CEO/President, Gray Media. “It has created a space for a new generation of Phoenix Suns and Mercury fans to easily connect and cheer on their teams. We see it in the viewership data. But most importantly it ushered in a new era of live sports on broadcast television opening the door for more deals of its kind to be done. We are excited to be on this journey with the Suns and Mercury as we continue to put the fan first.”
The extension continues the organization’s commitment to make Suns, Mercury and Valley Suns games available to millions of fans across Arizona on Arizona’s Family. In 2024, the partnership expanded with the addition of the Valley Suns games. As part of the extension, Suns, Mercury and Valley Suns games will continue to be available on Suns+ and Merc+, the direct-to-consumer streaming platforms powered by Kiswe.
This is another example of Ishbia’s commitment to revolutionize the fan experience by introducing diverse options for every fan – from family-friendly to premium experiences. Beginning with the industry-shifting move to bring Suns and Mercury games over-the-air, Ishbia’s fan-first initiatives have continued, including: introducing the most affordable meal in the NBA and WNBA with the $2 value menu, redefining the gameday experience with OVG Hospitality’s premier culinary offerings, and innovative bowl lighting and videoboards for fans to enjoy a more immersive experience. He has also enhanced premium experiences at PHX Arena with the FanDuel Lounge exclusively for season ticket members, the suite-level M Club by BMW with luxury VIP service, and the unprecedented partnership with Major Food Group to open The Ra Ra Room – the first-ever members-only dining club in a sports and entertainment venue.
This extension is more than a business deal. It’s a statement about access, community, and the evolving relationship between teams and their fans. By keeping Suns, Mercury, and Valley Suns games free through 2028, the organization isn’t just protecting a viewing option; it’s reinforcing a promise: basketball in the Valley belongs to everyone.
