The three-time WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury have named ESPN reporter Holly Rowe the team’s 2016 BBVA Compass Bright Futures Woman of Inspiration. Rowe will be honored in-person on Sunday, August 28, at 6 p.m., when the Mercury takes on the Los Angeles Sparks at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

“Holly has always been a supporter of not only the WNBA but the Phoenix Mercury and our athletes, committed to telling their stories and helping us to grow our game,” said Mercury Vice President of Operations Vince Kozar. “She is a pioneer who has risen to the top of a historically male-dominated field. Most inspiring of all, she has not allowed her current battle with cancer to keep her from doing the job she loves with her trademark energy, enthusiasm and smile. Holly is an inspiration and we feel fortunate to be able to honor her this year.”

As part of the WNBA’s Inspiring Women platform, the Mercury annually honors a deserving candidate. Rowe will share her story with Mercury fans at halftime of the August 28th game in a special halftime interview at center court.

Rowe’s journey in sports media started during a time when few women were part of the sports broadcasting landscape. Starting in the early 1990s, she lobbied with local schools and purchased her own airtime on local radio stations so she could broadcast women’s college basketball games. By 1997, her hard work had earned her a position as a sideline reporter at the world’s largest sports network, ESPN. Currently Rowe covers nearly all sports including college football, basketball, softball, volleyball, NBA, WNBA, soccer, and the Little League World Series.

“Holly’s journey reflects BBVA Compass’ overall mission of providing brighter futures for everyone,” said BBVA Compass Phoenix CEO Brad Parker. “Our Bright Futures platform centers on odds-defying stories like Holly’s and the core values it takes to accomplish your goals. We’re proud to support her recognition with the Phoenix Mercury.”

Her accomplishments reach beyond the world of sports, as she has recently used her platform to publicly battle cancer. Despite the dark moments she faces, Rowe says she refuses to succumb to the disease and chooses to focus on what makes her happy, her work.

Rowe joins an elite group of inspiring women who have been honored by the Mercury, including Robin Roberts (2007), Ali Vincent (2008), Jackie Joyner-Kersee (2009), Billie Jean King (2010), Picabo Street (2011), Hope Solo (2012), Lisa Fernandez (2013), Jordan Wieber (2014), and Mo’ne Davis (2015).
 
The core that won it all in 2014 is back!  Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor return to join 2015 All-Star trio Brittney Griner, Candice Dupree and DeWanna Bonner as the Phoenix Mercury pursue a league-record tying fourth WNBA title in 2016.  Tickets for the Mercury-Dallas match-up, on August 26 and the other regular-season Mercury home games can be purchased by calling 602.252.WNBA or by visiting PhoenixMercury.com.

About BBVA Compass: BBVA Compass is a Sunbelt-based financial institution that operates 674 branches, including 345 in Texas, 89 in Alabama, 75 in Arizona, 62 in California, 45 in Florida, 38 in Colorado and 20 in New Mexico, and commercial and private client offices throughout the U.S. BBVA Compass ranks among the top 25 largest U.S. commercial banks based on deposit market share and ranks among the largest banks in Alabama (2nd), Texas (4th) and Arizona (4th). BBVA Compass was recently named Best Digital Bank in North America by global finance magazine Euromoney, and earned top nods for best mobile app and best regional bank in the South & West in Money magazine’s annual list of the Best Banks in America. Additional information about BBVA Compass can be found at bbvacompass.com, by following @BBVACompassNews on Twitter or visiting newsroom.bbvacompass.com.