The three-time WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury will celebrate all-time great Penny Taylor this Sunday, July 9, and will honor her with a special jersey retirement ceremony immediately following the game. The game tips off 3 p.m.
Taylor, one of only two players on all three championship Mercury teams (Diana Taurasi), spent 10 seasons in a Mercury uniform and retired as the franchise’s second all-time leading scorer. The game-long celebration will feature special video messages from across the WNBA, as well as a Penny-themed halftime performance from renowned artist David Garibaldi. In addition, for the remainder of Mercury season, Section 113 at Talking Stick Resort Arena will be rebranded as “Section 13” in honor of Taylor’s jersey number.
The first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a commemorative Penny Taylor rally towel.
The postgame ceremony will feature video tributes, video messages, and unique gifts for Taylor. Hosted by Mercury play-by-play voice Kevin Ray, other speakers will include WNBA COO and former Mercury President and COO Jay Parry, Mercury General Manager JimPitman, Mercury Head Coach Sandy Brondello, and more. The ceremony will culminate with the reveal of Taylor’s #13 in the Talking Stick Resort Arena rafters.
In Taylor’s 10-seasons in Phoenix, she was a three-time All-Star, a two time-time All-WNBA First Team selection, a three-time Olympian, and a two-time Olympic silver medalist for Australia. Taylor finished her career having appeared in the third-most games in franchise history, and ranked third in scoring, second in both assists and steals, and fourth in rebounds. Taylor’s banner will hang alongside original head coach Cheryl Miller, legendary players Michele Timms, Bridget Pettis, and Jennifer Gillom, and the new banner commemorating Taurasi as the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer that was unveiled on June 30.
Fans can visit PhoenixMercury.com/promos to view a complete schedule of theme nights, fan giveaways and exciting promotional opportunities. Tickets to the Mercury’s Penny Taylor Retirement Ceremony matchup against the New York Liberty on Sunday, July 9 and other Mercury home games are available at PhoenixMercury.com or by phone at 602.252.WNBA.