Something's amiss at the Downtown Phoenix sports complex, once prominently branded as "Footprint Center"—the home turf of the Phoenix Suns. According to a video that's making its rounds on the internet, the large signage reading "Footprint Center" is no longer gracing the exterior of the arena. This sudden disappearance has spectators scratching their heads, especially since FOX 10 Phoenix reported that the signage could be seen just days before. Meanwhile, digital billboards persist in displaying the venue's logo, and its official website still touts the name "Footprint Center."
Attempts to unravel the mystery have thus far hit a wall. The Phoenix Suns and the City of Phoenix, which owns the arena, have yet to shed light on the situation despite inquiries for clarification. The name game for this arena is a storied one, with the venue having undergone several rebranding phases since its christening in 1992. Originally named "America West Arena," the site has been subject to the ebb and flow of corporate sponsorships, as noted by a specific history-focused website and detailed further by MSN.
Let's rewind a bit through the venue's identity crisis. We first knew it as the house that America West built. Following a merger with US Airways and ultimately with American Airlines, the name shifted to "US Airways Center" in 2006. It wasn't until the Suns' 2015-2016 season tipped off that we saw another switch—to "Talking Stick Resort Arena"—named for the local casino resort. Fast forward to July 2021, and the venue pivoted yet again, rebranding to the now potentially former "Footprint Center."
