Mat Ishbia Seeks to Elevate All-Star Weekend in Phoenix
The Suns owner, Mat Ishbia, has big plans for the 2027 All-Star Weekend, an event that will be held in Phoenix. His main goal is to increase the participation of NBA stars in the various competitions of the weekend. To incentivize players, Ishbia has proposed an attractive economic prize. He will offer one million dollars to the winners of the slam dunk and three-point contests. In addition, another sum of one million dollars will be allocated to charities at each event.However, Ishbia’s proposal could face bureaucratic obstacles. Sources close to the NBA and the players’ union reported that this award does not fit the existing bonus structure. It is important to note that Ishbia did not consult the league before making this offer, but his motivation is clear: he wants to ensure the presence of the stars in the competitions. The last time an active All-Star won the dunk contest was in 2011, with Blake Griffin. In this year’s edition, held in Los Angeles, the winner was Keshad Johnson of the Miami Heat. On the other hand, Damian Lillard, nine-time All-Star, was crowned for the third time in the three-point contest in the last four years.“We want the best to participate,” Ishbia declared on “The Pat McAfee Show”, where he presented the idea. “Let’s make it incredible.”
Mat Ishbia, Suns Owner
