PHOENIX (AZFamily/AP) — A rebuild isn’t a new concept to Arizona sports teams, but the Mighty Mercury have defied expectations and now have their sights set on hoisting the fourth championship in team history.

Mercury vs. Aces: Looking at a southwestern showdown in the WNBA Finals

The Mat Ishbia Era Begins

But how did we get here? Mat Ishbia bought the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and the Mercury for roughly $4 billion, finalizing the deal in early 2023 . Since then, he’s poured money into both teams, and his investment into the Mercury has paid off quickly.

In 2023, under new owner Ishbia, now-former head coach Vanessa Nygaard was relieved after 12 games into the season. The team finished with an abysmal 9-31 record, something similar to the Diamondbacks’ 2021 season, where the Snakes finish

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