— Celebration to include halftime ceremony with original legends Cheryl Miller, Jennifer Gillom and more; first 2,500 fans to receive Cheryl Miller bobblehead —

PHOENIX – The three-time WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury will host its 20^th Season Celebration on Thursday, June 9 when the team takes on the San Antonio Stars at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., with doors set to open at 5:30 p.m.

In honor of the 20^th season of the Mercury and WNBA, Mercury legends who have had great impacts on the history of the franchise will be recognized during a special halftime ceremony.  Those scheduled to attend include Cheryl Miller, the team’s original head coach and general manager, who coined the name “X-Factor” for the Mercury fans; Jennifer Gillom, one of two original players allocated to the Mercury when the league was established; Ann Meyers Drysdale, still a vice president of the team, who helped build championship rosters in 2007 and 2009 as the team’s general manager; Paul Westhead, head coach who led the franchise to its first title in 2007, and revamped the league’s style of play; Corey Gaines, head coach who led the franchise to its second title in 2009 and an assistant on the 2007 staff; Seth Sulka, a member of the Mercury staff from Day 1 whose time as general manager included the drafting of Diana Taurasi and the selection of Penny Taylor.  The crowd will also see special video messages from Bridget Pettis and Michele Timms, both members of the original 1997 Mercury.

As part of the celebration, the first 2,500 fans will receive a Cheryl Miller bobblehead that features the likeness of Cheryl Miller, complete with her signature suspenders and a Mercury tie. An image of the Cheryl Miller bobblehead is below.

The team will also honor its past with a number of in-game elements including original crowd prompts by Cheryl Miller and Jennifer Gillom, integration of the Mercury’s original intro video, and a throwback Hip Hop Squad performance. There may even be some surprises from Mercury mascot Scorch, too!

The starting lineup 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’s 20^th Season Celebration on June 9 and the other regular-season Mercury home games can be purchased by calling 602.252.WNBA or by visiting PhoenixMercury.com.