With 7.52 million inhabitants, Arizona is the 14th biggest US federal state. But with five sports clubs across various professional leagues, it’s one of the most prominent sporting regions in the US. Local entrepreneurs and companies have recognized these developments, and they’ve been working diligently to invest in both clubs and local events. Those are only some parts within a bigger mechanism called the Arizona sporting economy.
Six Clubs with Loyal Followership
At the moment, the five clubs from Arizona are Phoenix Suns (NBA), Arizona Cardinals (NFL), Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB), Phoenix Mercury (WNBA), and Phoenix Rising FC. They participate in such competitions with mixed success, but one thing is for sure – they all have loyal and devoted fans.
On the one hand, knowing they’ll have steady attendance over the year helps their owners plan their budgets with greater certainty. On the other hand, those clubs are engaging to the media and sponsors, as well. Kevin Durant wouldn’t come to the Phoenix Suns had it not had a proper image for his reputation. Hence, it’s no wonder that the matches played by Arizona clubs are a constant in betting offers. The Card Player’s guide to Arizona sports betting provides updated odds for such games on a regular basis, letting both local and national audiences bet on their favorite players and clubs. As a matter of fact, Arizona has collected more than $112 million in taxes from sports betting since legalizing this activity in 2021, which is also a contribution to the local economy.
Media Partnerships and Sponsorships
Although the Phoenix Suns are probably the most famous sports club from Arizona on a global scale, the most valuable franchise is the Arizona Cardinals. With the 29th position on the Forbes list of most valuable clubs and a team value of $4.3 billion, the Cardinals have the economic power of a mid-sized company. In that light, they signed a new media coverage contract with Arizona’s Family Company as the club’s flagship TV partner.
The aforementioned Suns are also valued at $4.3 billion, making them another staple of the sports economy in Arizona. In season 2023-2024, the Suns extended their agreement with PayPal as their only jersey patch sponsor by the end of the 2025-2026 season. This collaboration will help both brands additionally fortify their positions in their respective markets.
The Cardinals and the Suns only would qualify for around the 20th position on the list of the most valuable companies in Arizona in general, which is only another proof speaking in favor of their importance for the state economy.
Growth of Local Communities and Non-Profit
Apart from sports clubs across major professional US leagues, there are dozens of smaller professional clubs and hundreds of local sports organizations and initiatives scattered around Arizona counties. The continuous growth of the most prominent and wealthiest clubs in the state inevitably helps the development of local clubs in smaller communities.
Every ticket sold at the Cardinals’ State Farm Stadium trickles down to the local tax revenue budget. So, the state is working on supporting various sporting activities on local levels with the taxes generated directly from matches, but also from tourists coming to visit clubs’ venues.
Lately, various non-profit organizations for sports have been developing in Arizona, focused on helping local communities take part in sports across different generations.