Meanwhile in Nevada – The Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns became a franchise with the help of the 28-year-old Jerry Colangelo. He needed a name and thought it best to involve the city of Phoenix in the search for the perfect one. So, in 1968, he promoted the name-the-team contest. The fan whose idea fruited the new team name would get $1,000 and free season tickets.
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Over 28,000 entries were submitted to the campaign, and they were far-out, to say the least; White Wing Doves, Poohbahs, Dudes, Cactus Giants, obviously none would stick. The Phoenix Suns was a simple name, but it spoke of the sunny city of Phoenix and still rolls nicely off the tongue.