History of Phoenix Suns in Timeline

The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona, competing in the NBA's Western Conference, Pacific Division. Notably, they are the only team in their division not located in California. Their home games are played at the PHX Arena.

1968: Suns Inaugural Game

In 1968, the Phoenix Suns played their inaugural game against the Seattle SuperSonics.

1972: Al McCoy Becomes "Voice of the Suns"

In 1972, Al McCoy began his tenure as the play-by-play announcer and "Voice of the Suns," marking the start of his historic career with the team.

2000: Eddie Johnson Becomes Suns TV Analyst

In 2000, Eddie Johnson became the Phoenix Suns TV analyst, initially paired with Al McCoy until the discontinuation of radio simulcasts.

2003: Bally Sports Arizona Assumes Rights to Suns Home Games

In 2003, Bally Sports Arizona (formerly Fox Sports Arizona) assumed the rights to Phoenix Suns home games, marking the beginning of a broadcast agreement between the team and the regional sports network.

2003: Television Broadcasts Drop Radio Simulcast

In 2003, the Phoenix Suns television broadcasts dropped the simulcast of Al McCoy's radio commentary in favor of dedicated commentary teams for radio and television.

2007: Al McCoy Receives Curt Gowdy Media Award

In 2007, Al McCoy was awarded the Curt Gowdy Media Award at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony, recognizing his contributions to basketball broadcasting.

January 3, 2008: 40th Anniversary Team Unveiled

On January 3, 2008, the Phoenix Suns unveiled their 40th Anniversary Team, selected by fans through an internet vote. The same night, the Suns defeated the Seattle SuperSonics, 104-96, to celebrate the team's 40th season.

October 11, 2008: First NBA Outdoor Exhibition Game

On October 11, 2008, the NBA held its first outdoor exhibition basketball game, with the Phoenix Suns losing to the Denver Nuggets in Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

2008: NBA Outdoors Exhibition Game Inaugurated

In 2008, the Phoenix Suns held the NBA Outdoors, an annual basketball exhibition game in Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California, near Palm Springs. It took place every first weekend of October.

2008: Suns Hold Training Camp in La Quinta

In the 2008 pre-season, the Phoenix Suns held training camp in the Auditorium in La Quinta, California, alongside the Portland Trail Blazers.

October 10, 2009: Second Annual Outdoor Exhibition Game

On October 10, 2009, the Phoenix Suns lost to the Golden State Warriors in the second annual NBA outdoor exhibition game held in Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

2009: Suns Hold Training Camp in Palm Desert

In the 2009 pre-season, the Phoenix Suns held training camp in the College of the Desert Gymnasium in Palm Desert, California, alongside the Portland Trail Blazers.

October 9, 2010: Third Annual Outdoor Exhibition Game

On October 9, 2010, the Phoenix Suns beat the Dallas Mavericks in the third annual outdoor exhibition game held in Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

2010: Suns Begin Training in San Diego

In 2010, the Phoenix Suns began their training camp in San Diego, while the Trail Blazers trained in Tucson, Arizona. They also held exhibition games in Seattle, Washington.

2010: Last NBA Outdoors Exhibition Game

In 2010, the Phoenix Suns held the last NBA Outdoors, an annual basketball exhibition game in Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California, near Palm Springs. It took place every first weekend of October.

2011: Bally Sports Arizona Adds Exclusive Rights to Away Games

In 2011, Bally Sports Arizona expanded its broadcast agreement with the Phoenix Suns to include exclusive rights to away games, which had previously been carried by KUTP.

2011: Outdoor Preseason Game Ceased

Prior to the 2011–12 NBA preseason, the Phoenix Suns ceased playing the NBA Outdoors preseason game.

2016: Al McCoy Inducted into Suns' Ring of Honor

In 2016, Al McCoy was inducted into the Phoenix Suns' Ring of Honor, solidifying his legacy as a key figure in the team's history.

2018: James Jones and Trevor Bukstein Named Interim General Managers

During the 2018-19 NBA season, James Jones and Trevor Bukstein were named interim general managers for the Phoenix Suns after Ryan McDonough was fired. Jones was later given the permanent role, while Bukstein returned to his previous position.

2019: Al McCoy Stops Broadcasting Road Games

In 2019, Al McCoy stopped broadcasting road games due to challenging vantage points in other NBA arenas, which limited his preferred style of play-by-play commentary.

2021: Al McCoy's 50th Season with the Suns

The 2021-22 season marked Al McCoy's 50th season with the Phoenix Suns, celebrating a significant milestone in his broadcasting career.

May 2022: Al McCoy Courtside Broadcast

As recent as May 2022, Al McCoy was positioned at courtside, adjacent to the Phoenix Suns' home bench, for 50 consecutive seasons, with exceptions for remote broadcasts due to COVID-19.

October 2, 2022: Al McCoy's Broadcast Position Moved

On October 2, 2022, Al McCoy's broadcast position was moved higher up in the arena, closer to the skybox area of the Footprint Center.

2022: Kevin Ray and Tom Leander Split Play-by-Play Duties

As of the 2022-23 season, Kevin Ray and Tom Leander split play-by-play duties for the Phoenix Suns, with either Eddie Johnson or Ann Meyers Drysdale on color commentary.

2022: Sam Garvin Assumes Interim Team Governor Role

During the 2022-23 NBA season, Sam Garvin took on the role of interim team governor for the Phoenix Suns, effectively assuming most ownership responsibilities for Robert Sarver while he served his season-long suspension in the NBA.

2022: Ryan Resch Comes Out as First Openly Gay Person in NBA Front Office

In 2022, Ryan Resch, working as vice president of strategy and evaluation for the Phoenix Suns, came out, making him the first openly gay person in league history to work basketball operations in an NBA front office.

April 2023: Lawsuit Blocks Suns' New Broadcasting Contract

In April 2023, Diamond Sports Group, the parent company of Bally Sports, filed a lawsuit to block the Phoenix Suns' new broadcasting contract, accusing the team of breaching its contract and bankruptcy law.

July 14, 2023: Suns Finalize New Broadcasting Agreement

On July 14, 2023, the Phoenix Suns finalized their new broadcasting agreement after Diamond Sports Group did not exercise its right of first refusal, resolving the legal dispute and paving the way for the new contract to take effect.