Phoenix Mercury
American professional basketball team / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Phoenix Mercury are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). One of eight original franchises, it was founded before the league's inaugural 1997 season began.
Phoenix Mercury | ||||
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2024 Phoenix Mercury season | ||||
Conference | Western | |||
Leagues | WNBA | |||
Founded | 1997; 27 years ago (1997) | |||
History | Phoenix Mercury 1997–present | |||
Arena | Footprint Center | |||
Location | Phoenix, Arizona | |||
Team colors | Purple, orange, light grey, black[1][2] | |||
Main sponsor | Fry's Food and Drug | |||
General manager | Nick U'Ren | |||
Head coach | Nate Tibbetts | |||
Assistant(s) | Charli Turner Thorne Taja Edwards Tully Bevilaqua | |||
Ownership | Mat Ishbia | |||
Championships | 3 (2007, 2009, 2014) | |||
Conference titles | 4 (1998, 2007, 2009, 2014)[lower-alpha 1] | |||
Website | mercury.wnba.com | |||
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The Mercury have qualified for the WNBA Playoffs in fifteen of its twenty-four years in Phoenix. In 1998, 2007, 2009, 2014, and 2021 the Mercury went to the WNBA Finals; they lost to Houston in 1998, but won the title in 2007, 2009, and 2014 over Detroit, Indiana, and Chicago respectively.
The franchise has been home to players such as former UConn Diana Taurasi, Rutgers grad Cappie Pondexter, former Temple power forward Candice Dupree, former Baylor center Brittney Griner, and Australian guard Penny Taylor.
In February 2023, Mat Ishbia completed the acquisition of Phoenix Mercury. The team was among Robert Sarver's sports assets located in Arizona sold to the former college basketball player for the Michigan State Spartans during their championship in 2000.[3][4]