The NBA arena planning to end single-use plastic starting this season

When the Phoenix Suns open the 2021-2022 NBA season at home on Oct. 20, fans will likely notice the new banner hanging from the rafters celebrating the Suns’ run to the 2021 NBA Finals.

They might also notice that their drink is in a biodegradable, compostable cup made from plant materials, as well as the recycling and compost cans that now dot concourses as opposed to garbage cans.

Those changes are the result of a new naming rights partnership with Footprint, the material science technology company that has set a goal of eliminating single-use plastics — typically a very common sight in an arena between beer cups, food trays and containers, and plastic silverware and straws.

“We’re not only having a tip-off; we’re having a tipping point of change,” said Footprint chief marketing officer Susan Koehler. “We believe this venue will transform and show the world how to go plastic-free.”

Organizations across all industries are making massive investments towards achieving environmental, social and governance-related goals, and that includes professional sports. Leagues like the NFL and NBA now have sustainability-focused programs, LEED certification is nearly a given for any new stadium development, and NHL and MLS teams have worn Adidas jerseys made from recycled materials to both reduce environmental impact and raise awareness.

“We have a responsibility to play a role in our communities and to make them better places to live,” said Dan Costello, Phoenix Suns chief revenue officer. “It’s possible to do good and do well at the same time.”

There are few better ways for a sports team to signal a commitment to sustainability than through a stadium naming rights deal, its most visible and lucrative corporate partnership that can bring in upwards of $10 million a year in some NBA markets. Terms of the Footprint deal were not disclosed, but the company was reportedly seeking at least a 10-year deal worth $9 million annually, according to the Sports Business Journal.

“We’re not just choosing businesses just around taking a check; we really focus on businesses that fit the personality of who we are as a team, which is being known for innovation and technology,” Costello said. “Environmental and social governance is important to us, and we know they mean something to other companies — we’re trying to create a place where they can come and share those stories too.”

The Suns have looked to embrace sustainability before. Their arena was one of the first in professional sports to add solar power, back in 2012. The arena has also adopted other environmentally friendly practices like using LED lighting and having touchless faucets and toilets to conserve water.

Telling the story of what can be done now and in the future around sustainability at an arena is the goal for the Footprint Center, which is also the home to the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, said Koehler. The…