It’s OK to Root For the Phoenix Suns Again…
This is something that I never expected to see from a pro sports franchise:
In an extremely bold move, the Phoenix Suns as an organization made a strong political statement in opposition to the recent Arizona immigration bill. Discussions on taking action began last week after the bill passed, with an idea that came from Robert Sarver, Managing Partner of the Phoenix Suns.
According to Steve Kerr, the team discussed it internally before going to the league for approval to both wear the ‘Los Suns’ jerseys, but also to come out publicly in this way.Kerr said both the NBA and the San Antonio Spurs were fully supportive of the Suns move.
And, did I tell you that Steve Kerr is my new favorite player?:
“We want to celebrate the diversity that exists in our state and exists in the NBA. We know what’s going on and we don’t agree with the law itself,” Kerr said.
This was done despite the likelihood that this stand will not go over well with sponsors and many season ticket-holders.
Viva Los Suns!
Tags: Arizona, Immigration, Phoenix Suns
Thanks El Somnambulo, That is great news, especially given the Suns probably have no Hispanic BBall players on the squad. What about the baseball team, have they still been silent?
Haven’t seen anything or heard anything on Sportscenter, so I’m guessing the DBacks have yet to follow suit.
This is really a gutsy move inasmuch as the proposal came from one of the managing partners and the players enthusiastically went along. It’s a good bet that a lot of those well-heeled season ticket holders are not thrilled. Meaning, in this case, ownership placed principle above economic well-being. And, ironically, I suspect it will benefit them economically in the long run.
When I was a kid and went to my first baseball game at Connie Mack, it was against the Dodgers. There were lots of people, mostly minorities, wearing Brooklyn Dodger caps even though the Dodgers had moved to LA. I asked my dad why, and he told me the story of Jackie Robinson breaking the racial barrier.
I think that the Phoenix Suns could ultimately become the team that Hispanics follow, much for the same reasons that African-Americans revered the Dodgers.
This is a great story. Congrats to the Phoenix Suns. I want one of those jerseys!
Awesome.
Here’s hoping that the sports section articles on Thursday all refer to them as LosErs.
By the way — how do all you liberals feel about a company forcing its employees to publicly don apparel making a political statement that they may or may not agree with? And might this not be corporate political speech of the sort you claim is unAmerican?
Uh, Rhymey, those of us who work in corporate America have long since gotten used to being forced to do things a helluva lot worse than donning jerseys with Spanish articles on them. You taxpayer-dollar-swilling public-sector workers have no idea.
Was it ever OK to root against them based on this law? Did they pass it? The boycotts against AZ will hurt many many innocent businesses in AZ….the law needs to go away, but on the backs of innocent, hard working Americans?
Bullwinkle J. Moose misses a key point–this was in no way imposed on the players. It was suggested by one of the managing partners, and the players enthusiastically embraced it.
And, yes, UI, I smell ‘marketing opportunity’ with those ‘Los Suns’ jerseys.
John Young: A reported 70% of Arizonans support the law. I have seen no reports of business owners, innocent and hard-working or not, leading opposition or even speaking out against it. Next time maybe they’ll be more motivated.
Yes, John, those business owners would be hurt. Since I can’t vote in Arizona, this is the only way I have to pressure them. Perhaps those business owners will start pressuring their representatives to do the right thing.
Heard a report on NPR recently where some businesses inAZ are thinking that this boycott may be worse than the one for AZ’s opposition to MLK day. One of the organizations I belong to just announced the move of their annual meeting to Denver. Another is trying to move to NM. Boycotts of businesses may be more effective than voting.
If boycotting is the way to go, then I propose the Delaware should also be boycotted because we give corporate haven to many AZ companies. In fact, we should be a 2nd boycott for all companies in all states that make stupid laws in which any company in said state advantages DE chancery courts and incorporates here.
Boycott Delaware! Maybe Jack Markell should call Jan Brewer and tell her to fix their law because it is destroying Delaware. And if AZ doesn’t fix the law, we deserve what we get!
“Boycott Delaware, Fix Arizona!”
Well, good luck with that, then.
There has been a pro team that has done this before, but not with an intended statement behind it. I had assumed it was the Suns when I heard this news, but apparently not. Tried a google search, but couldn’t find it, as my memory is being a bit vague. I most definitely recall seeing it and thinking how cool it was. Regardless, I like this.
P.S.: Why not: “Los Sols”? Maybe because “Suns” is a name in this case? Just wondering.
Yikes, John. That almost sounds like the boycott-Arizona-Tea argument.
There is more to be gained from a boycott than simply punishing Arizonans. Small business owners — a certain group of them, anyway — tend to be outspoken conservatives. They have every right to speak out, and I have every right to take my business elsewhere. Perhaps they need a reminder that their customers don’t necessarily share their views, and a certain segment of them will resent having the profits made from their purchases used to pursue ends with which they disagree.
Example: Several years ago, I was Christmas shopping at Bert’s record and CD shop on Concord Pike when the owner went on a rant about how if he wanted to say Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays he would by God say Merry Christmas, and who are liberals to blah blah blah. I used to buy there fairly frequently. I haven’t been there since.
My point: Not all small businessmen are small-minded assholes, but those who are should remember that their livelihood depends on customers of all politcal stripes.
The next intelligent comment by John Young on this subject will be the first.
Geezer, I’ve had similar experiences and that makes me also not want to give money to that business. I have no idea why some people don’t know to keep their mouths shut if they depend on customer service. The business owners have freedom of speech. I also have the freedom to buy elsewhere.
It’s much, much harder to boycott large corporations because they’re so pervasive. I haven’t been to a Wal-Mart in years though.
Neither have I. The ironic (or hypocritical) thing is that those “patriots” who decry free trade and the rise of China defend Wal-Mart at every turn.
I have vacationed frequently in Arizona, and those dollars go to both small businesses and large corporations. I’ll consider going back only after, if ever, this law is repealed.
Meanwhile, anti-immigrant groups are crowing about similar laws being introduced in 12 other state legislatures, including Pennsylvania’s. I”m just dying for a reason to boycott Pennsylvania.
Geez, apparently sarcasm is lost on you…..
If boycotting is the way to go, then I propose the Delaware should also be boycotted because we give corporate haven to many AZ companies.
This idea actually has merit. It is at the extreme end of the continuum of sanctions that could be applied to influence behavior.
Cutting financial ties with a rogue state has its precedent in the divestment campaign against South Africa. Delaware never got on board, but UD, Wilmington, NCC, many other states did. And pro-divestment protesters certainly targeted organizations who failed to get on board with divestment (universities, mainly).
Just in from Tempe–and I’m telling you it’s business as usual around town. The “big talk” is more about the proposed .5% sales tax increase that may be coming their way.
Truth: The Suns (including Steve Nash, the Canadian) do not care about the rights of illegal aliens.
they only want to prevent any potential loss of income that might result in hispanics not buying tickets to their games.
If the Los Suns were wearing their uniforms to celebrate Cinco De Mayo, I would be all for it. .*
If the Los Suns were wearing their uniforms to celebrate Cinco De Mayo, I would be all for it. ,