Locked in a battle for playoff seeding, the three-time WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury have challenged the Eastern Conference-leading Connecticut Sun to see who can make a bigger difference for local food banks, and the teams’ two “biggest” stars have made a side-wager of their own.
The Mercury have partnered with St. Mary’s Food Bank and the Sun have joined forces with the Gemma Moran United Way Food Bank in rival drives to collect peanut butter, beginning when the Sun host the Mercury on Sunday, Aug. 20, and concluding when the Mercury host the Sun at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Friday, Sept. 1. (Both teams will accept donations at all home games between Aug. 20 and Sept. 1, and all canned food items will be accepted.)
What’s on the line? Whichever team collects more peanut butter will earn a $500 donation from the other team for its food bank.
Plus, the Mercury’s 6-foot-9 center Brittney Griner, who leads the league in scoring and blocks, and the Sun’s 6-foot-6 center Jonquel Jones, who leads the league in rebounding, have their own skin in the game. The loser will have to dunk while wearing the winner’s jersey in a video to be shared on the teams’ and players’ social media channels. Griner, the only player to dunk in a regular season WNBA game since 2008, is the league’s all-time dunks leader. Jones recently recorded her first pro dunk at the 2017 Verizon WNBA All-Star Game in Seattle.
WHAT: Peanut butter drive: Mercury and Brittney Griner vs. Sun and Jonquel Jones. Mercury’s drive will benefit St. Mary’s Food Bank
WHERE: Casino Arizona Pavilion / Talking Stick Resort Arena
WHEN: Competition starts Aug. 20 in Connecticut. Fans should bring peanut butter to the Mercury game on Friday, Sept. 1, 7 p.m.
WHY: Help St. Mary’s Food Bank. Help the Mercury defeat the Sun .Help Brittney Griner defeat Jonquel Jones