Steve Nash Announced His Return To The Phoenix Suns, This Time As The Team’s Director Of Community Relations For The 2025 Season
Phoenix Suns legend and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash is making a homecoming—this time not on the hardwood, but in a new leadership role off the court. The team officially announced that Nash will be joining the organization for the 2025 NBA season as the Director of Community Relations. This marks a significant return for the Hall of Famer, who spent the prime years of his illustrious playing career in a Suns uniform.
Nash, widely regarded as one of the greatest point guards in basketball history, played ten seasons with the Suns across two stints (1996–1998, 2004–2012). He revolutionized the team’s fast-paced, offense-first identity under then-coach Mike D’Antoni, turning Phoenix into one of the most exciting teams in the league during the mid-to-late 2000s. During his tenure, Nash earned back-to-back MVP honors in 2005 and 2006, solidifying his status as a franchise icon.
Now, more than a decade since his final game with Phoenix, Nash returns to the Valley in a capacity that reflects his deep ties to the community and his commitment to social impact. As Director of Community Relations, Nash will oversee a range of initiatives aimed at fostering relationships between the Suns organization and the greater Arizona community. His role will include developing youth basketball programs, supporting local charities, promoting educational opportunities, and using the platform of the Suns to uplift underserved communities.
In a statement released by the team, Nash expressed his excitement about returning to Phoenix in a new capacity. “Phoenix has always felt like home to me,” Nash said. “I’m incredibly honored to work alongside the Suns again, especially in a role where I can give back to the people and the city that gave me so much throughout my career. Basketball has the power to bring people together and create real change, and I’m excited to be part of that mission.”
Nash’s post-playing career has kept him closely tied to the game of basketball. He served as a player development consultant for the Golden State Warriors before being named head coach of the Brooklyn Nets in 2020. Though his coaching tenure ended in 2022, Nash remained active in the basketball world and continued his philanthropic efforts through the Steve Nash Foundation, which focuses on health and education services for underserved children.
Bringing Nash into a prominent community-facing role reflects the Suns’ broader strategy to strengthen their presence beyond the court. Team President Josh Bartelstein emphasized the importance of Nash’s return, stating, “Steve is more than a basketball legend—he’s a symbol of what this franchise stands for: excellence, humility, and a commitment to community. We’re thrilled to welcome him back in a role that will allow him to connect, inspire, and lead.”
Fans in Phoenix and across the league have reacted with overwhelming positivity. Social media has been abuzz with memories of Nash’s iconic plays, his chemistry with teammates like Amar’e Stoudemire and Shawn Marion, and the electrifying energy he brought to every Suns game. Now, the hope is that his leadership off the court will inspire a new generation and deepen the connection between the Suns and their fans.
Nash is expected to make his first public appearance in his new role during the Suns’ annual “Back to School” event this August, where he will join team staff and players in distributing school supplies and engaging with students across the Phoenix metro area. He will also play a central role in launching the Suns’ 2025 “Hoops for All” initiative, which will provide free youth basketball clinics in under-resourced neighborhoods.
Steve Nash’s return to the Suns, while not in a jersey, is nonetheless a powerful full-circle moment. It not only celebrates his legacy as a player but also reinforces the enduring bond between an athlete and a community that embraced him as one of their own. As the Suns look ahead to the 2025 season, the presence of Nash in this new leadership role adds a layer of legacy, heart, and purpose to an already ambiti
ous organization.