Advertisement - scroll for more content
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement - scroll for more content
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Mat Ishbia: "I'm extremely engaged from every detail, every question. We just signed a new two-way player and I was involved with that. Every detail of the team, I'm involved with. And if people don't like that, then they're not going to be Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury fans. If they do like that, we'll see how the results come out. But we're going to do our best and we're completely aligned."
The same day the Portland Trail Blazers announced the hiring of television broadcaster Braiden Bell, the team has fired him because of past social media posts. KGW-TV reported the posts were made when Bell was a teenager in 2012 and 2013. Bell, 29, was the television play-by-play announcer for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. “The Portland Trail Blazers have zero tolerance for racist, sexist or harmful comments,’’ the team said in a statement. “Social media posts made by our recently announced play-by-play announcer are in clear violation of team and league policies, as well as our values and expectations. Therefore, we will not be moving forward with this broadcaster.’’
With less than 10 games remaining until the WNBA’s postseason begins, a veteran forward is hitting the open market. DeWanna Bonner is a free agent after reaching a buyout agreement with the Phoenix Mercury, the team announced on Monday, Aug. 24.
Advertisement
United Wholesale Mortgage Inc., the mortgage lending firm led by Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury owner Mat Ishbia, suspended its quarterly dividend and reported about $452 million in losses for the second quarter of 2026. The net loss in the second quarter follows a net income of about $170 million in the first quarter. United Wholesale Mortgage is one of the largest mortgage lenders in the country. The earnings announcement came the same day the company announced a $2.05 billion capital partnership with Oaktree Capital Management. According to a company announcement, the partnership was created to “fortify UWM’s balance sheet and position the company for continued long-term success.” The proceeds will primarily be used to repay existing debt. The dividend was suspended to “prioritize debt reduction and balance-sheet strength,” according to the announcement.
Shams Charania: BREAKING: The Los Angeles Sparks are trading five-time All-Star Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury for Monique Akoa Makani, a 2027 first round pick and a 2028 second-rounder, sources tell me and @kendra__andrews.
Thus far, external candidates, including Cleveland’s Mike Gansey, Minnesota’s Matt Lloyd, and Phoenix Mercury general manager Nick U'Ren, have emerged. Internally, 76ers assistant general manager Jameer Nelson has also positioned himself well to remain with the organization and be in the mix for a possible promotion, league sources told HoopsHype.
Nick U’Ren, general manager for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, is expected to interview for the position, according to league sources. Current Minnesota Timberwolves general manager Matt Lloyd is also expected to interview. Lloyd, league sources say, has the backing of a few key members of the Sixers’ organization. He was a finalist for the Chicago Bulls front-office opening that eventually went to Bryson Graham. Trent Redden, currently the general manager with the LA Clippers, has also emerged as a candidate, per league sources.
Advertisement
Marc Stein: Cavaliers GM Mike Gansey and Phoenix Mercury GM Nick U'ren, who worked for the Warriors before his move to the WNBA, have emerged as names to watch in Philadelphia's front office search, @TheSteinLine has learned. Adding to our existing Philly coverage: tinyurl.com/2hw5e8pj
ESPN: Breaking: Four-time WNBA All-Star and Olympic gold medalist Kahleah Copper is returning to the Phoenix Mercury, the team announced Sunday.
Michael Scotto: Washington Wizards G League assistant coach TC Swirsky is joining the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury as an assistant coach on the staff of Nate Tibbetts, league sources told @hoopshype . Swirsky was previously head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies’ G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle.
For Ishbia's majority ownership to be in jeopardy, the judge in the lawsuit would need to decide that Ishbia failed to fund the capital call by his own deadline and therefore, per the terms of the operating agreement, Ishbia must offer the minority owners the opportunity to fund his unfunded share at the $10 million per unit price set in his capital call notice. If that were to happen, Seldin and Kohlberg could take over the majority ownership of the Suns and Phoenix Mercury with a stake of approximately 60%.