The Suns are "taking full control of their D-League operation by placing an affiliate team in Prescott Valley at the 10-year-old Prescott Valley Event Center," according to Paul Coro of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. The team will "base all operations at the arena and begin play next season, making the Suns one of 19 NBA teams that will have single-affiliation D-League clubs in their metro areas or a drive away next season." The Suns’ D-League affiliates "previously have been located" in Bakersfield, Calif. (since '11), Des Moines and Albuquerque. For the past two seasons, the Suns "had a hybrid ownership with the Bakersfield Jam in which the Suns financed and controlled basketball operations while the Jam’s pre-existing owners handled business operations." With a D-League site 92 miles away from Talking Stick Resort Arena, the Suns "will be able to use its affiliate more often." The Prescott Valley Event Center "had been in search of a tenant since filing for bankruptcy in August." The $36M facility "seats about 5,100 fans for basketball and has 22 luxury suites and two party suites" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 4/12).
HAD A GOOD THING GOING: Coro wrote the Bakersfield Jam's "hybrid ownership relationship and a venue that has a 'sweet spot' capacity of 375 fans" had been working. Dignity Health Event Center can "seat 550 people for a game but it works better if 375 are there because they offer a dinner buffet so people can come straight from work." The club played "mostly weekday home games because their 'partners' have beach homes and other escapes for the weekends." There are "no single-game tickets." Executive suites with tables and chairs "run $15,000 to $24,000 for six to 10 seats." Four upstairs lofts "overlooking one baseline cost $40,000." Courtside seats "go from $1,500 by the goals to $2,500 at center court." The package "includes perks such as tickets" to Suns, Lakers, Clippers and MLB Giants games, golf rounds at Riviera Country Club and "use of the facility for corporate events or parties" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 4/10).
