On October 28, 2023, at Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix, the Phoenix Suns ‘Ring of Honor’ inductees had their new banners unveiled during a halftime ceremony. During the event, a partnership between the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, and Cleveland Avenue, a venture capital firm investing in consumer brands and technology companies, was announced. This collaboration will bring new health-focused food and beverage options and robot servers to Footprint Center aiming to establish the arena as a hub for innovation, sustainability, unique culinary experiences, and cutting-edge technologies.
Cleveland Avenue’s portfolio includes companies that manufacture robot servers, gluten-free and vegan cookies, and flour with zero carbohydrates and sugar. Additionally, Cleveland Avenue has a significant investment stake in Footprint, a Gilbert-based company that produces biodegradable cups, lids, cartons, and other food-packaging materials to replace single-use plastics. The details of the partnership were not fully disclosed at the time of the announcement but are expected to be revealed soon.
CEO of the Suns and Mercury Josh Bartelstein expressed excitement about implementing modern technologies to enhance fan experiences at games, concerts, and events. Don Thompson, founder and CEO of Cleveland Avenue highlighted the shared vision of innovation, entrepreneurship