The Phoenix Suns and Mercury are extending CEO Josh Bartelstein, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania on Monday.
The details of the extension are not known.
“From Day 1, I knew Josh was the right person to help build the culture and organization that I envisioned in Phoenix — on and off the court,” owner Mat Ishbia told Charania. “He is my trusted partner in every aspect of our basketball (Suns and Mercury) operations and business side as well. His knowledge of basketball, care for our players and the strong relationships he has across the NBA and WNBA have been invaluable in building our success and will continue to shape our future. His leadership has elevated our entire organization.
“He is one of the best CEOs in all of sports, and happens to be one of the youngest too, and I’m excited to keep working next to Josh as we continue to build on our success.”
Bartelstein, who was Ishbia’s first hire as Suns and Mercury owner, came to Phoenix in 2023 after serving as the Detroit Pistons’ assistant general manager in 2022.
Before that, he worked two years as Detroit’s VP of business and basketball operations and five years as an executive under Palace Sports and Entertainment vice chairman Arn Tellem.
Bartelstein took over for former CEO Jason Rowley, who resigned from his position in February 2023 after being the Suns’ president and CEO since 2012.
Bartelstein brought basketball decision-making to the position — something Rowley did not — and has worked with both former president of basketball operations and general manager James Jones and current GM Brian Gregory during his Suns tenure.
