Suns Get Arena Renovation Deal, Lease Extension With City

The Phoenix City Council voted to approve a $230M deal with the Suns for renovations to Talking Stick Resort Arena, with the city paying $150M of that total. The deal also extends the team's lease to '37. The Suns could not muster enough council support for the renovation deal in December. The team therefore deployed a cadre of PR and public affairs firms, while leveraging business allies to help lobby council members and drive home to voters that tourism taxes will pay for renovations to the city-owned arena. Suns Owner Robert Sarver and President & CEO Jason Rowley both testified at the Wednesday vote.