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These were the biggest Arizona sports storylines of 2022

By Mark Brodie
Published: Tuesday, December 27, 2022 - 12:07pm

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Robert Sarver, Mullett Arena, Brittney Griner and Herm Edwards
Christina Estes/KJZZ, Cronkite News file phots
(From left) Robert Sarver, Mullett Arena, Brittney Griner and Herm Edwards

Twenty twenty-two has been an eventful year for Arizona sports both on and off the field. And the big stories continued just about through the end of the year.

Last week, Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver announced he’d entered into a deal to sell the team to mortgage lender Mat Ishbia. Sarver said he would put the team on the market after a report was released earlier this year outlining allegations of misogyny and racism.

Elsewhere, Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner was arrested and wrongfully detained in Russia for months before being released this month; the Arizona Coyotes downsized their home ice, moving into Mullett Arena on ASU’s Tempe Campus; and ASU fired its head football coach amid an NCAA investigation.

The Show spoke with two veterans of Arizona’s sports scene about the events of the past year — Paola Boivin, director of the Cronkite News Phoenix Sports Bureau at ASU and Brad Cesmat, CEO of Sports360AZ.com.

Brad Cesmat and Paola Boivin in the KJZZ studio in 2022
Nick Sanchez/KJZZ
Brad Cesmat and Paola Boivin in the KJZZ studio in 2022

EDITOR’S NOTE: This interview was recorded before the Suns’ new owner was announced.

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