Suns President Jason Rowley said that the franchise "ranked second in the NBA at the All-Star break for new full-time season ticket equivalent sales this season," according to Paul Coro of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Only the Hawks have "sold more" than the Suns, who have already renewed 78% of "their season tickets for next season." At this point last year, they were at 48% and still wound up at 93% on the "strength of the team's surprising success." The Suns entering last night's home game "ranked 23rd in home attendance, averaging 16,572 fans," but have seen a 20% increase over last season. Floor seats are "sold out and renewals of courtside club seats have increased" by 30% over last year. Rowley said, "Our focus on customer service has had an impact." Coro notes the NBA employs S.F.-based Richey Int'l to "anonymously analyze customer service at each arena." The Suns "finished fourth in the NBA in overall customer service for the pre-All-Star break schedule." The Suns also hired outside trainers to "put in an 'Orange Carpet Service' program and continue monitoring its effectiveness." Rowley: "The building has some age to it but it shows we make a positive of it." Meanwhile, Coro notes the arena naming transformation into Talking Stick Resort Arena is a "four-month process that will be completed before" next season (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 2/24).
WHAT COLOR IS THE SUN? In Phoenix, Andrew Joseph notes the official Suns YouTube channel yesterday "teased an ember sleeved uniform that the team will wear in Thursday's game against the Thunder." They will "unveil the jerseys" today. The Suns are "using the hashtag '#PHXRISING' for these uniforms, and the ember color seems similar to Arizona State's 'Desert Fuel' uniforms that were a huge hit against Notre Dame" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 2/24).
