Ashley Stovall, previously the business manager, was recently named vice president of business operations for the Northern Arizona Suns (NAZ Suns) professional basketball team.
The NAZ Suns play in the Findlay Toyota Center, at 3201 N. Main St. in Prescott Valley.
Stovall, 33, has been affiliated with professional sports in Prescott Valley for about 10 years. She was first hired as the game operations manager and later assistant general manager for the then-Sundog professional hockey team. When the Sundogs dropped out of hockey in 2016, the NAZ Arizona Suns moved into the event center.
Stovall stayed with the organization and worked with Chris Presson, who then was the chief executive for the NAZ Suns and the Indoor Football League Arizona Rattlers, a Phoenix-based team.
Stovall, a California native, had been in the hospitality industry in Hawaii before moving to Prescott Valley.
When Presson accepted a position with the Canadian Football League’s Edmonton Eskimos in September, the Phoenix Suns Arena Sports Group, which owns the NAZ Suns, the Phoenix Mercury and the Arizona Rattlers, offered Stovall the leadership position with the Gatorade League (G League) team.
Vince Kozar, chief operating officer of the sports group, said of Stovall: “Ashley has shown herself to be a tremendous operator on our G League product. We’re excited about her growth and where she and our team can take our business in Prescott Valley.”
The G League has grown to 28 teams across the country and is a feeder program into the NBA.
The NAZ Suns are a farm team for the NBA Phoenix Suns. Stovall explained that many of the players for the NAZ Suns are but one step away from being called to the NBA.
“We really want to let the greater public in central and northern Arizona know that we have high quality professional basketball here in Prescott Valley. Many people don’t realize they can see future NBA stars right here on our home court,” she said.
“That’s going to be my main priority — to build team and brand awareness and to encourage fans to come see the NAZ Suns. I am really pleased with the support we are getting from the Town of Prescott Valley, the local chambers of commerce and area residents. For example, the Town has put Suns banners on light poles throughout the community.”
She continued, “I think it’s great — and reasonable — family entertainment, especially with season ticket rates starting as low as $9.”