Arizona Cardinals great Larry Fitzgerald bought himself an investment stake with Phoenix’s longest tenured sports franchise
Just when you thought maybe the Larry Fitzgerald story in the Valley of the Sun was coming to a completion, not so fast. The Arizona Cardinals 16-year receiver has bought a minority share of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns.
The Suns have been around since the 1968-69 season. They were the first major professional sports team to plant themselves in the valley.
Fitzgerald, who last week announced he was returning for a 17th NFL season, has ensured his mark on Phoenix sports will continue after the end of his rapidly approaching football career end. He is friends with Phoenix Suns majority owner Robert Sarver.
Fitz joins Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers as the only active NFL players with a minority stake in an NBA team. Rodgers has a share of ownership in the Milwaukee Bucks.
For now, it seems as if Fitz will keep his Suns profile low as long as he continues his playing days. Look for much more involvement from him once he officially retires.
The Suns would benefit from someone like Fitz being around, being a mentor, someone who knows what it is like to be a true professional. He knows how to carry himself on and off the football field.
Despite the Suns poor play over the last decade, the stake in ownership is still a valuable thing to have. Fitz did mention his friendship with Sarver as a reason he was willing to make this move.
Fitz has been a great friend to many in the local business community. This is his way of making sure he is able to remain involved in Phoenix sports once the cleats are hung up.
It will be interesting to see just how much Sarver allows him to interact but best guess is Fitz will be a high profile minority owner, something you don’t see a lot. Either way, congratulations to him on the purchase.