Getty Image / Christian Petersen
There’s been drama surrounding the Phoenix Suns after Robert Sarver was found to be using racial slurs and treating female staff horribly. Since then, the team has been up for sale.
Now, someone has finally bought the team and we’re here to tell you all about him.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski, “Mat Ishbia is finalizing a purchase of the Phoenix Suns.” The deal hasn’t officially gone through just yet, but it will be coming to fruition soon. Now, the organization can move on from Robert Sarver with a better future ahead.
BREAKING: Billionaire mortgage lender Mat Ishbia is finalizing a purchase of the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN. The deal, expected to be completed in the near future, would end the tumultuous tenure of owner Robert Sarver.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 20, 2022
However, nobody is quite sure who Mat Ishbia is. As Woj mentioned, Ishbia is a billionaire mortgage lender. He’s based in the state of Michigan, where he is currently the chairman and CEO of UWM Holdings, per Forbes. He joined the company previously owned by his father in 2003, then by 2013, Mat took over the company.
Even so, what might be the most interesting thing about him is his time in college. Apparently, Mat Ishbia played for the Michigan State Spartans in the early 2000s as a walk-on. He was a part of the team that made three straight Final Four appearances. Ishbia played minimal minutes, but we found his highlight reel on Youtube anyway.
Ishbia loved playing for Tom Izzo. So much so, that he donated $32 million to MSU. Most of the payment actually went to the football program, but Mat Ishbia insisted that the new basketball court be named after the legendary coach.
So, now you know Mat Ishbia. The billionaire CEO is now the proud owner of the Phoenix Suns. This ultimately seems like a good fit, as the organization moves on from Rober Sarver’s toxicity and will now have Mat Ishbia at the helm. The fact he clearly has a passion for basketball could help the club immensely.
Keep an eye out for any statements from the team or Mat Ishbia himself. With the franchise finally going in a new direction, the organization can focus more on the season at hand.