On heels of pandemic, Valley hospitality industry eyes potential windfall from Super Bowl 57
PHOENIX – The potential of a competitive game and nice weather have brought fans from around the country to the Valley. That excites hotels and restaurants who could use the economic boost.
Clouds may steal the sunshine on Super Bowl Sunday
PHOENIX – Signs of the Super Bowl coat the streets of the Phoenix metro area. But despite Phoenix’s sunny reputation, there's a chance travelers will have to deal with rain for the big game.
Phoenix Suns acquire Kevin Durant in a blockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets
PHOENIX – Mat Ishbia has made a huge overnight splash in his first move as owner of the Suns, acquiring Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets
Snap, hold, kick and pray: NFL special teams are simply complex
SCOTTSDALE – For those who believe special teams is the easiest way onto a football field, the Kansas City Chiefs kicking unit begs to differ. The snap, the hold and the kick all depend on perfect execution in the blink of an eye.
Valley’s boxing reputation grows as Emanuel Navarrete defeats Liam Wilson in thrilling scrap
GLENDALE - Emanuel Navarrete won the WBO junior lightweight title with a ninth round TKO of Liam Wilson. This marks the third title fight and fifth major boxing card held in the Valley in the past year.
‘The game needs us’: MLB has diversity problem and no easy solution
PHOENIX – With no United States-born Black baseball players featured in the 2022 World Series between the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies, many felt as though baseball had taken a step away from building a diverse game. The next generation of players are growing within the youth community and the MLB DREAM Series in Tempe proved that the game still has more to learn.
With owners including Larry Fitzgerald, Major League Pickleball launches season in Mesa
MESA – Major League Pickleball kicked off its first event of 2023 in Mesa, Arizona this past weekend. The sport is the fastest growing sport across the U.S. and the tournament was televised on the tennis channel from Jan. 26 - Jan. 29.
Derrick Michael Xzavierro’s history-making odyssey lands him at GCU
PHOENIX – Derrick Michael Xzavierro’s journey to GCU has led him across the world from his home of Indonesia. Though he is taking a redshirt year this season, Xzavierro has already made an impact and history as Indonesia’s first Division I basketball scholarship player.
‘It’s changing’: As police officers quit the profession in droves, an opportunity for change emerges
PHOENIX – Police departments across the country are in a workforce crisis. Some leaders see this as an opportunity, and they’re trying harder to attract candidates who reflect the communities they serve, with a focus on women, people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Fighting hate: Approaches range from expanding hate crime definitions to gathering data
LOS ANGELES – The system for reporting hate in America is broken. The FBI’s database has limited scope, and people often don’t – or sometimes can’t – report hate crimes to authorities. But federal, state and local entities are tackling hate in a variety of ways – from expanding definitions and launching hotlines to capturing data.
Double duty: Suns GM James Jones rewarded with promotion to President of Basketball Operations
PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns announced James Jones as the team’s new president of basketball operations. This is the first time this job has been filled since 2015. It is a new position for Jones, however Jones’ impact on the organization made the ideal candidate for the job.
Pac-12/SWAC Legacy Series brings social justice issues, HBCUs to the forefront
PHOENIX – Arizona and Arizona State’s basketball programs are getting a chance to learn more about historically Black colleges and universities through a partnership between the Pac-12 and the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
