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The team you once knew as the Northern Arizona Suns is no more.
On Monday the most attractive entertainment option in the NBA G League announced they were dumping the name that the franchise has been associated with since 2016. For one day, anyway.
On January 19th the crown jewel of Prescott Valley will be known as the “Rodeo Clowns.”
Howdy y'all! The NAZ Suns will become the Northern Arizona Rodeo Clowns.https://t.co/qYjhXzZgD2 pic.twitter.com/hz2ueWROq0
— Northern AZ Rodeo Clowns (@nazsuns) December 3, 2018
Rodeo Clown prez Chris Presson weighs in:
“It’s about being unique, fun, and different. It’s not just about Prescott Valley and Chino and Dewey, it’s about the western heritage for the region as a whole. And it’s not just about a nod to the past, but it’s also to the current and to the future, as well.”
“We want to be fun and we want to be creative,” Presson continued. “We want to give a nod to the past so that we’re recognizing the Fain Land and Cattle Company, the World’s Oldest Rodeo, the PBR, the PRCA Turquoise Rodeo and so much more about this area. It’s important as well that we put our own little twist on it, and that’s where this comes in.”
The Texas Legends are in town for a 7pm game on January 19th. Northern Arizona will don specialty jerseys honoring the rodeo clown theme that will later be auctioned off. Arizona State alum and country artist Davey Arnold will perform for those in attendance.
The first 1,000 fans will receive NAZ branded cowboy hats. There will be plenty of pregame festivities in the concourse include a mechanical bull, rodeo clown face painting, and a photo booth.
On January 20th, the Rodeo Clowns will change their name to the Suns, so don’t miss out.