PHOENIX — Phoenix Mercury owner Mat Ishbia is still relatively new to the WNBA. But after purchasing the Mercury and NBA’s Phoenix Suns in February 2023, it hasn’t taken him long to make an impression.
Among the biggest areas of impact he’s made is the Mercury’s new practice facility, a 58,000-square-foot performance center designed specifically for the WNBA team. Building the facility, which officially opened Thursday — coinciding with the start of 2024 WNBA All-Star weekend in Phoenix — was a priority. “It was a main focus from the get-go,” he said.
The facility, which the organization said cost $100 million, features an abundance of amenities. It has a freestanding underwater treadmill, a hydrotherapy room, an indoor and outdoor turf training area, and a full kitchen with a dedicated chef. It features vast open spaces and allows plenty of natural light to shine through, another key design element. “We looked at all sports, all over the world (to see) how do you make this the best of the best?” Josh Bartelstein, the chief executive officer of the franchises, said. “None of it happened by accident.”
The squad put their hard hats on and toured their future home. A sneak peek of what’s to come at the Mercury Practice Facility! 👷♀️ pic.twitter.com/x1KVMxDMkC
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) June 28, 2024
Construction began on the project last November. The Mercury became the third WNBA franchise in the last two years to debut a new facility, joining the Seattle Storm and Las Vegas Aces. Like the Aces, the Mercury enlisted Gensler, a leading architecture and design firm, on their project.
Bartlestein said that the organization also sought player feedback throughout the design process, wanting to better understand their priorities. Custom food availability for three daily meals was important as was the ability for them to have access to the building at any hour. “For most of them, this is going to be the first time ever having a dedicated facility they can call their own,” Bartlestein said.
The Mercury unveiled their new practice facility on Thursday. (Courtesy of the Phoenix Mercury)
One player in particular, Diana Taurasi, will have her legacy forever recognized in the building. The gym’s two practice courts will be dedicated with her name and inspired logos incorporated.
“The Phoenix Mercury are not the Phoenix Mercury without Diana Taurasi,” Ishbia said. “She’s a legend of all legends.”
“It’s going to be a really cool thing for the tradition and the history of the Mercury moving forward to recognize the greatest player of all time putting her name and logo on the floor,” coach Nate Tibbets said last week.
Taurasi, a three-time WNBA champion, 11-time All-Star and the league’s all-time leading scorer, has played her entire career in Phoenix since the Mercury selected her as the first overall pick in 2004. She became the first player in league history to surpass 10,000 career points last August. Later this month, she will appear in her sixth Olympics.
Though the attention of the sport will turn to Phoenix this weekend, Ishbia said he hopes the Mercury won’t be the last to build a facility devoted to their athletes.
“I don’t know if it’s going to be rivaled by anybody else,” he said. “But I hope other teams do build practice facilities because we want to elevate the game. If we’re the leader of that and others follow to the level that we’re at, I’ll be so excited for the WNBA because that’s great for the whole league and for women’s sports in general.”
For now, though, he’s proud of what his team is unveiling.
“We really believe this facility is like the crown jewel,” he said.
(Photo: Courtesy of Phoenix Mercury)
