Dan Bickley is the most influential sports media member in Arizona sports history, having spent over 20 years as the award-winning lead sports columnist for The Arizona Republic and AZCentral.com and almost two decades as a Valley sports radio talk show host. In spring 2018, Bickley made the decision to leave the newspaper to join the Arizona Sports team as host of the entertaining and informative Bickley & Marotta show, as well as bring his opinionated and provocative column exclusively to arizonasports.com.
Bickley’s journalism career began in his hometown of Chicago, where he was part of a star-studded staff at the Chicago Sun-Times. He chronicled Michael Jordan’s six NBA championships; covered the Olympics in eight different countries and attended 14 Super Bowls; spent three weeks in an Indianapolis courthouse writing about Mike Tyson’s rape trial; and once left his laptop in an Edmonton bar after the Blackhawks reached the Stanley Cup Finals.
He has won multiple awards, written two books, formed a rock band, fathered three children and once turned down an offer to work at the New York Times. His passions include sports, music, the alphabet, good beer and great radio. After joining Arizona Sports 98.7, he couldn’t be happier.
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DAN BICKLEY | Jul 31, 2026Can Mike LaFleur duplicate Jordan Ott’s success in Year 1?
The Cardinals and the fan base need a voice that inspires and commands the room, and it appears Mike LaFleur is off to a good start.
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DAN BICKLEY | Jul 29, 2026Can Kenny Dillingham overcome challenges to keep momentum going at Arizona State?
Kenny Dillingham is tasked with the hardest ask in the Valley: Create a program that wins consistently.
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DAN BICKLEY | Jul 28, 2026Has LeBron James set himself up to pass Michael Jordan with move to 76ers? Has he already?
It’s clear that LeBron James has made the perfect decision by choosing the 76ers, Dan Bickley writes.
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DAN BICKLEY | Jul 27, 2026Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett is worth investing in for this season
If anything, the Cardinals deserve criticism for giving into Jacoby Brissett’s modest demands so late in the game.
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DAN BICKLEY | Jul 22, 2026The Suns are betting their credibility on Miles Bridges. They better be right.
The Suns rebuilt trust with a playoff run. Now they're risking that credibility by betting on Miles Bridges, and they better be right, Dan Bickley writes.
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DAN BICKLEY | Jul 21, 2026Cardinals enter new season with major lack of elite talent
Can the Arizona Cardinals succeed with an overmatched roster to surpass the lowest of expectations?
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DAN BICKLEY | Jul 20, 2026Did World Cup’s stint in USA open eyes to world’s pastime?
Does the World Cup's time in the United States give the sport a chance to finally latch onto a more casual fanbase in America?
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WORLD CUP 2026 | Jul 16, 2026England should have no shame in losing to Lionel Messi, Argentina in World Cup
In the era of blame culture in sports, England and its fans should see honor and humility in losing to one of the greatest athletes of all time.
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DAN BICKLEY | Jul 13, 2026Diamondbacks must keep newfound attitude flowing post-All-Star break
Are the Diamondbacks hungry to atone and make a postseason run in 2026? Or are they looking to avoid the trades and the moving vans?
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DAN BICKLEY | Jul 10, 2026Cardinals reinforcing dangerous stereotypes against them in Jacoby Brissett contract saga
The Cardinals are giving more fuel to the belief that nothing really changes in Arizona. Except for the losing, writes Dan Bickley.
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DAN BICKLEY | Jul 5, 2026Why this World Cup feels bigger than soccer for the United States
This is way bigger than one team. This World Cup feels like more than a sporting event. It feels like a cultural event.
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DAN BICKLEY | Jul 1, 2026The Suns are no longer up against the mom-and-pop Lakers
The Lakers are now operated by the same group that runs the Dodgers, a team with extreme ambition and ammunition.
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GOLF | Jun 30, 2026How will the WM Phoenix Open be impacted by PGA Tour changes?
Nobody believes demotion is possible for the WM Phoenix Open, our Mardi Gras of golf, but nobody knows for sure, writes Bickley.
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DAN BICKLEY | Jun 29, 2026Corbin Carroll’s triples giving Valley sports fans something to cheer for
For 33 years, Hank Aaron was baseball’s all-time home run king. In Arizona, we might be watching the greatest triples hitter in Corbin Carroll.
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PHOENIX SUNS | Jun 28, 2026Suns roster churn was inevitable, but it’s hard to cheer for Miles Bridges
You knew Suns owner Mat Ishbia would make a move this offseason, but trading for Miles Bridges could risk toppling the franchise's new identity.
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DAN BICKLEY | Jun 24, 2026Suns’ Koa Peat checks all the boxes
Koa Peat is a player with great size and he’s not afraid to use it. He moves to the rim and does not fade away from it. His motor will not be an issue.
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DAN BICKLEY | Jun 22, 2026Unclear part of Suns’ offseason arrives after obvious re-signings of Gillespie, Goodwin
The Suns took care of the easy parts of their offseason, but now come the tough decisions regarding Jalen Green or 3-and-D wings Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale.
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DAN BICKLEY | Jun 17, 2026Larry Fitzgerald’s reach felt beyond Arizona as Hall of Fame induction approaches
A reminder of how the Cardinals legend's reach goes well beyond our borders during a tough time for the 11-time Pro Bowler.
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DAN BICKLEY | Jun 16, 2026Mikal Bridges deserves every moment of elation as NBA champion
The joy Mikal Bridges is currently feeling is no greater than the joy he provided Planet Orange for nearly five magical seasons.
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DAN BICKLEY | Jun 15, 2026Can Devin Booker be the next Jalen Brunson? He has something to prove
Jalen Brunson proved effort, grit and tenacity can win an NBA championship at any size. Can Devin Booker channel that same energy for the Suns?
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DAN BICKLEY | May 30, 2026Cardinals in desperate need of coherent plan amid OTA absences
Entering Year Four of Monti Ossenfort's tenure, the Cardinals badly need to catch a break amid no sign of clarity regarding Josh Sweat and Jacoby Brissett.
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DAN BICKLEY | May 27, 2026The NBA’s flopping problem needs serious enforcement, and Devin Booker isn’t innocent
No longer should players who exaggerate the first sign of contact be rewarded, and this starts at home because Devin Booker is a prime flopping offender.
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DAN BICKLEY | May 26, 2026Torey Lovullo pushed the right buttons to steer May surge. Is this Diamondbacks team for real?
The Diamondbacks have attractions: The speed of Corbin Carroll, the scorch and sizzle of Ketel Marte and a manager who occasionally turns into King Midas.
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DAN BICKLEY | May 19, 2026Add Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs to the Suns’ list of long-term obstacles
Victor Wembanyama hit a new level in Game 1 with his unbelievable play, representing something ominous to the Phoenix Suns, Dan Bickley writes.