Talking Stick Resort Arena, located in Downtown Phoenix. (file)
PHOENIX - It looks like the Arizona Rattlers are on the move from Downtown Phoenix to the West Valley.
The Rattlers have taken home a total of six championships since they started playing in the early 90s in Downtown Phoenix, but will play out of Glendale instead due to renovations at Talking Stick Resort Arena. They'll be playing out of Glendale.
"Season tickets. I miss very few games, I miss very few games," said Michael Smallwood, who has been rolling with the rattlers since almost the beginning of the franchise.
"I've been a fan of them since Danny White," said Smallwood. "He was an ASU guy, and I went to ASU."
Most of the games Smallwood has seen have taken place in Downtown Phoenix, but the bulk of Talking Stick Resort Arena renovations scheduled for next summer will force the Rattlers to relocate from the downtown home they've had since 1992. The team will play at the Gila River Arena in Glendale.
"It's something the Rattlers have no choice from what I see," said Smallwood. "The Suns need to make the renovations. The best time is during the summer. The Rattlers have no choice."
Smallwood, however, is confident the fans will travel with the team. The Rattlers are familiar with Gila River Arena, as the team played their post-season games there this season.
"I've heard some talk from some people from the East Valley that it's going to be a very long trip to go to the west side to watch the games, but the playoffs had 13.5, and there were 15,000 at the championship game," said Smallwood.
While the team lost the United Bowl there recently, Smallwood is confident the loss won't haunt them.
"I have no doubt in my mind they'll be ready, prepared for the arena," said Smallwood. "The field is exactly the same. They win anywhere."
The Rattlers will play their schedule around the Arizona Coyote's home games. There's an option to keep playing in Glendale in 2021 as well.