The downtown arena that is home to the Phoenix Suns and other sports teams has a new name. Formerly called the US Airways Center, its new moniker is Talking Stick Resort Arena.
The 22-year old city-owned center attracts about 1 million visitors annually at 130 events. Diane Enos, president of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of Arizona, announced the new name last week. The tribe is paying the city for the naming rights.
Enos said the name change will help drive traffic to the Talking Stick Cultural and Entertainment Destination, which has a tribal casino, golf course and other attractions. The land on which the arena was built is part of the tribe’s original homeland, she said.
