The Suns have "sold at least 1,000 more full season-ticket equivalents than last season's final total and doubled sales in US Airways Center floor seating as part of an overall success rate with premium seating," according to Paul Coro of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. After selling "about 8,500 full season-ticket equivalents last season, the Suns are closing in on 10,000 for this season." That would "put the Suns on par" with the '08-09 season, when the club "was coming off four consecutive playoff appearances." Despite missing the playoffs three years in a row, the team's "retention rate has risen" by 12%. The Suns also are reporting a 111% increase in sales "for the FlexPrint Club, the floor seating, and have sold 22 of the arena’s 23 theater boxes." After selling "five new corporate suite licenses per year for recent seasons," they sold 10 of 12 this season "with two pending, meaning the suites are nearly sold out" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 10/30).
CENTER OF ATTENTION: In DC, Michael Lee noted the Suns had "planned to have Polish heritage night for their home opener" last night, and C Marcin Gortat had flown in 25 people from his native country "for what was expected to be a fun week in Phoenix" (WASHINGTON POST, 10/28). However, the Suns traded Gortat to the Wizards on Friday. The Polish American Congress' Arizona Division posted a message on its Facebook page, saying that the Suns "have offered all the fans who bought tickets thru the special web site a free ticket" to the Jan. 24 game against the Wizards (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 10/29).
