Phoenix Suns Unveil City Edition Uniform Celebrating Chicano Culture

By Johanna-Rosalye Luna

PHOENIX, AZ – In a vibrant display of cultural pride and identity, the Phoenix Suns proudly introduced their 2023-24 City Edition uniform, paying homage to the city’s rich Chicano culture. The El Valle Uniform, adorned with a distinctive wordmark and design inspired by classic lowriders, promises to be a symbol of celebration and unity for the community.

Lowriders, born from the creative hands of Chicanos in the southwestern United States, embody the spirit of “bajito y suavecito” (low and slow), serving as a bold proclamation of cultural identity. As part of the extensive El Valle program, the Suns collaborated with local legend Efrain “Bugs” Gonzales to create a custom 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, “Bella”. This unique vehicle, mirroring the detailed design elements of the uniform, will be prominently displayed at select games and events throughout the season.

“The El Valle City Edition uniform is a celebration of our Mexican American fanbase,” expressed Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury Chief Executive Officer Josh Bartelstein. “The uniform captures the tapestry of the culture and weaves together the rich traditions of Phoenix’s Mexican American community.”

The collaborative design process involved working with Miguel Angel Godoy, a local artist and fine arts professor at Arizona State University. The El Valle wordmark, prominently featured across the chest, draws inspiration from classic Chicano cursive script, while the vibrant colors reflecting Chicano culture influence the uniform’s accent colors. The side panels of the uniform showcase decorative pinstriping, designed to emulate the hand-painted pinstripes of a lowrider, adding an authentic touch to the overall design.

Throughout the 2023-24 season, the Suns will proudly don the El Valle uniform 13 times, debuting it on November 10 during the home game against the Los Angeles Lakers. To amplify the cultural celebration, the halftime of each El Valle home game will feature the La Música del Valle concert series. Complementing the uniform, a matching City Edition court will also debut this season, further enhancing the immersive fan experience.

For avid fans looking to embrace the El Valle spirit, the 2023-24 City Edition uniform is available for purchase at the Team Shop at Footprint Center or online at shop.suns.com. To extend the celebration beyond the court, the Suns have launched the first t-shirt of a five-piece El Valle merchandise collection designed by local Chicano artists. The t-shirt collection will be available online and at the Team Shop throughout the season.

In collaboration with local Chicano artist SPAWK, the Suns are set to launch an El Valle merchandise collection with Wild Collective starting November 10, available online and in the Team Shop.

Building on their partnership with PayPal, the team’s official jersey sponsor, will donate a portion of the proceeds from every City Edition jersey purchased using PayPal at shop.suns.com to Phoenix Suns Charities. This contribution will support community programs throughout the Valley, further emphasizing the Suns’ commitment to making a positive impact beyond the basketball court.

In a distinctive initiative, the Suns and PayPal will shine a spotlight on local Latino-owned food and beverage small businesses through the “Support Our City” program at El Valle games throughout the season. Latino-owned small businesses have the opportunity to apply for the chance to win $5,000 from now until November 30 at suns.com, fostering community support and collaboration.

For more information and a complete schedule of El Valle game nights, fans are encouraged to visit suns.com/elvalle.