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Arizona Diamondbacks surging as they battle for a wild card spot

The D-Backs have surging after losing 9 in a row to start August

Sports

5 must-try local Phoenix ice cream shops

Here are the tastiest spots to grab a frozen treat, according to Axios Phoenix readers.

Food and Drink

Arizona History: Why tubers throw marshmallows in the Salt River and why they must stop

The marshmallow fight tradition dates back at least two decades.

Things to Do

How "golden handcuffs" locked up Phoenix's housing market

Roughly 67% of Arizona homeowners with mortgages have a rate below 4%.

Real Estate

Diamondbacks look to hold wild card spot as season nears its end

Arizona is one of six teams vying for three wild cards spots in the NL.

News

With 11 games to go in the regular season, the Arizona Diamondbacks control their own destiny to snag one of the National League&#x27;s wild card spots in the playoffs.State of play: Entering Tuesday&#x27;s play, the D-Backs were in the second of three wild card positions after sweeping the Chicago Cubs over the weekend and vaulting over them in the standings.

Two baseball players raise their arms and prepare to slap hands in celebration at home plate. 

ASU's coach Kenny Dillingham on Big 12, bowl ban and Mike Norvell

Kenny Dillingham chose a helluva time to start his head coaching career.

Arizona State University&#x27;s Kenny Dillingham chose a helluva time to start his head coaching career.The big picture: A 2021 court ruling allowing student athletes to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="monetize their name, image and likeness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/08/09/arizona-state-university-student-athletes-nil-deals" data-vars-content-id="0f4888e4-f0a9-4149-ada5-a5e627f9144c" data-vars-headline="ASU&#x27;s coach Kenny Dillingham on Big 12, bowl ban and Mike Norvell" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/08/09/arizona-state-university-student-athletes-nil-deals" target="_self">monetize their name, image and likeness</a> (NIL) and new rules that make it <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="easier for players to transfer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/11/ncaa-football-transfer-portal-record" data-vars-content-id="0f4888e4-f0a9-4149-ada5-a5e627f9144c" data-vars-headline="ASU&#x27;s coach Kenny Dillingham on Big 12, bowl ban and Mike Norvell" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/11/ncaa-football-transfer-portal-record" target="_self">easier for players to transfer</a> between schools have fundamentally changed college football recruitment.

A football coach making a times out signal. 

Arizona Cardinals face low expectations as new coach enters first season

Jonathan Gannon has his work cut out for him in his first season as the Cardinals' head coach.

Remember the good times, Cards fans, because it&#x27;s probably going to be a rough season.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jonathan Gannon era is here" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/02/14/arizona-cardinals-eagles-defensive-coordinator-gannon-coach" data-vars-content-id="987f1133-7290-4632-bf01-607c0533dfae" data-vars-headline="Arizona Cardinals face low expectations as new coach enters first season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/02/14/arizona-cardinals-eagles-defensive-coordinator-gannon-coach" target="_self">Jonathan Gannon era is here</a>, and expectations for the Arizona Cardinals are as low as they can get for his first year as head coach.

A man wearing a red cap and black sweatshirt gestures with his hands while football players walk behind him.

Wildcats look to build on last season's success in Fisch's third year

Arizona went 5-7 last year after winning just one total game in the two previous seasons.

For the first time in years, the Arizona Wildcats have some success to build on as they start a new football season, their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last in the Pac-12" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/08/07/pac-12-disintegrates-arizona-state-univeristy-football" data-vars-content-id="3e191f78-b179-4c4b-824a-0d1582d45950" data-vars-headline="Wildcats look to build on last season&#x27;s success in Fisch&#x27;s third year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/08/07/pac-12-disintegrates-arizona-state-univeristy-football" target="_self">last in the Pac-12</a>.Catch up quick: UofA went 5-7 last season, finishing eighth in the conference.

A group of football players in blue jerseys celebrate while holding up a silver jug shaped trophy.

ASU football preview: Kenny Dillingham plots major rebuild

The Sun Devils suffered their worst winning percentage since 1942 last year.

When the ASU Sun Devils take the field Thursday night, first-year head coach <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kenny Dillingham" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2022/12/10/power-players-phoenix-katie-hobbs-michael-crow" data-vars-content-id="ed330b44-09f3-439b-a425-382e29e7acbf" data-vars-headline="ASU football preview: Kenny Dillingham plots major rebuild" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2022/12/10/power-players-phoenix-katie-hobbs-michael-crow" target="_self">Kenny Dillingham</a> hopes to showcase a team that looks, feels and plays entirely different from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the one that captured only three wins last season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2022/08/29/sun-devils-uphill-climb-season" data-vars-content-id="ed330b44-09f3-439b-a425-382e29e7acbf" data-vars-headline="ASU football preview: Kenny Dillingham plots major rebuild" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2022/08/29/sun-devils-uphill-climb-season" target="_self">the one that captured only three wins last season</a>.ICYMI (we wish we had): The Sun Devils suffered their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="worst winning percentage since 1942" data-vars-click-url="https://www.buffzone.com/2023/07/04/cu-buffs-opponent-preview-new-look-asu-hopes-for-quick-turnaround/" data-vars-content-id="ed330b44-09f3-439b-a425-382e29e7acbf" data-vars-headline="ASU football preview: Kenny Dillingham plots major rebuild" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.buffzone.com/2023/07/04/cu-buffs-opponent-preview-new-look-asu-hopes-for-quick-turnaround/" target="_blank">worst winning percentage since 1942</a> with several painful defeats — including a 38-35 loss to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rival U of A" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2022/08/29/asu-uofa-rivalry-older-than-arizona" data-vars-content-id="ed330b44-09f3-439b-a425-382e29e7acbf" data-vars-headline="ASU football preview: Kenny Dillingham plots major rebuild" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2022/08/29/asu-uofa-rivalry-older-than-arizona" target="_self">rival U of A</a>.

After NFL burn out, Johnny Football moved to Scottsdale to golf

After golf, "I have dinner with my boys and do it all over again," he said.

What happened to Johnny Manziel after his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dramatic exit" data-vars-click-url="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2623909-johnny-manziel-cut-by-browns-twitter-reacts-to-qbs-release" data-vars-content-id="70d02cf0-2b48-4ab4-92d0-cd0b47bd1564" data-vars-headline="After NFL burn out, Johnny Football moved to Scottsdale to golf" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2623909-johnny-manziel-cut-by-browns-twitter-reacts-to-qbs-release" target="_blank">dramatic exit</a> from football? Like many celebrities, he ended up in Scottsdale.Driving the news: Manziel&#x27;s Scottsdale abode is featured in a new Netflix documentary &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Untold: Johnny Football" data-vars-click-url="https://www.netflix.com/title/81582385" data-vars-content-id="70d02cf0-2b48-4ab4-92d0-cd0b47bd1564" data-vars-headline="After NFL burn out, Johnny Football moved to Scottsdale to golf" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.netflix.com/title/81582385" target="_blank">Untold: Johnny Football</a>.&quot;

Sun Devils, Wildcats will play their last season in the Pac-12

ASU won the conference outright twice and was co-champion once, while UofA had only a three-way tie in 1993.

It&#x27;s not yet clear what will become of the Pac-12 or its four remaining teams, but this football season will be the last before the conference as we&#x27;ve long known it disappears forever.The big picture: ASU, UofA, Colorado and Utah will bolt for the Big 12 next year, while Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="will join the Big Ten" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/08/16/pac-12-uw-big-ten-explained" data-vars-content-id="b95314b7-d513-4550-a98b-c1cc60d17d3e" data-vars-headline="Sun Devils, Wildcats will play their last season in the Pac-12" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/08/16/pac-12-uw-big-ten-explained" target="_self">will join the Big Ten</a>.

The middle of a football field with a blue and white shield shaped logo on it that say Pac 12.

After a rough start to the second half of the season culminated in a nine-game losing streak to open this month, the Arizona Diamondbacks are on a roll and in the playoff hunt.<ul><li>Thanks to a win Tuesday over the Texas Rangers, they&#x27;d be just inside the playoff picture if the season ended today, claiming the NL&#x27;s third and final wild card berth.</li></ul>

Two baseball players in black helmets and red jerseys smile and celebrate while an umpire looks on. 

Phoenix Rising plan to apply for online gaming license falls through

The team said its preferred betting operator couldn't meet the "extremely short notice and application window"

Sports gamblers may soon have new options for placing their bets, but an online wagering app licensed by the Phoenix Rising soccer team won&#x27;t be one of them.State of play: Phoenix Rising planned to apply for an online wagering license during the recently concluded application period.<ul><li>Club governor Bill Kraus <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="told the Arizona Republic in July" data-vars-click-url="https://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/consumers/2023/07/12/phoenix-rising-eye-sports-betting-as-arizona-issues-new-licenses/70393145007/" data-vars-content-id="fd800c5f-8155-4aa4-8b7e-2a2224a14372" data-vars-headline="Phoenix Rising plan to apply for online gaming license falls through" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/consumers/2023/07/12/phoenix-rising-eye-sports-betting-as-arizona-issues-new-licenses/70393145007/" target="_blank">told the Arizona Republic in July</a> that the team would &quot;absolutely&quot; apply for one of the two open sports franchise licenses.</li><li>The team was denied a license in 2021 when online sports wagering was legalized in Arizona, but Kraus said last month they &quot;solved or corrected a few of the issues that we had with our first application.&quot;</li></ul>Driving the news: The team didn&#x27;t apply because &quot;the extremely short notice and application window provided by the Arizona Department of Gaming made it impossible for our preferred designated sports betting operator to fulfill the required information by the deadline,&quot; team president Bobby Dulle said in a statement provided to Axios Phoenix.<ul><li>&quot;We are hopeful there will be another application window soon that will allow us more time to re-apply,&quot; he said.</li></ul>Zoom in: The Arizona Department of Gaming last Tuesday closed the latest event wagering application period for three open licenses — one that&#x27;s reserved for Native American tribes and two for professional sports franchises.<ul><li>Application information is confidential by law unless a license is granted, so the agency didn&#x27;t say who applied.</li><li>Department spokesperson Max Hartgraves tells Axios Phoenix the agency expects to release more information about next steps around the end of the month.</li></ul>Details: The sports wagering law signed by former Gov. Doug Ducey in 2021 reserved 10 online gaming app licenses for tribes and 10 for professional franchises.<ul><li>The Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Coyotes, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, TPC Scottsdale, Phoenix Speedway and Arizona Rattlers already have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="online wagering licenses" data-vars-click-url="https://gaming.az.gov/approved-operators-retail-locations-0" data-vars-content-id="fd800c5f-8155-4aa4-8b7e-2a2224a14372" data-vars-headline="Phoenix Rising plan to apply for online gaming license falls through" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gaming.az.gov/approved-operators-retail-locations-0" target="_blank">online wagering licenses</a>.</li><li>They can also run <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="brick-and-mortar sports books" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2022/09/21/your-neighborhood-arizona-sportsbook-open-for-business" data-vars-content-id="fd800c5f-8155-4aa4-8b7e-2a2224a14372" data-vars-headline="Phoenix Rising plan to apply for online gaming license falls through" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2022/09/21/your-neighborhood-arizona-sportsbook-open-for-business" target="_self">brick-and-mortar sports books</a>, though mobile bets typically account for more than 99% of those placed in Arizona.</li></ul>How it works: Tribes and franchises partner with gaming companies to run their mobile apps.<ul><li>The Cardinals use BetMGM, for example, while the Hualapai Tribe partnered with the Golden Nugget.</li></ul>Yes, but: If WynnBet is your sports gaming app of choice, you&#x27;ll have to find somewhere else to place your bets.<ul><li>WynnBet announced last week it&#x27;s shutting down operations in eight states, including Arizona.</li><li>In Arizona it&#x27;s the online gaming partner of the San Carlos Apache tribe.</li></ul>

Animated illustration of a sports betting app on a phone starting to shake, and a delete button popping up in the top right corner.

Vote for ASU in our Axios game day tradition competition

🏈 Your resident Sun Devil, here! College football kicks off next week and Axios Local is having some competitive fun with a bracket to see which university has the best gameday traditions.Driving the news: Today we face San Diego State University. They have a football team? Could have fooled us.

Sparky the Sun Devil on a football field. 

Sports 🏅