Husch Blackwell represented the City of Phoenix in the negotiation of a master amendment to the operating agreement with the Phoenix Suns for the Phoenix Suns Arena, involving a shared $230 million capital infusion for a significant renovation of the aging arena, as well as a 15-year extension of the Suns’ term.
Our Sports Facility Planning, Development & Use team also drove a reallocation of risk for maintenance and capital improvements to the arena going forward and implemented new non-relocation provisions to better protect the public interest in the City’s capital investment in the arena. In addition, the agreements incorporated a commitment from the team to build a new practice facility in Phoenix, enhancing economic benefits to the wider community.