Phoenix Suns Star Devin Booker Pleads with Hooters to Stay Open amid Bankruptcy Rumors

Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker is not ready to say goodbye to Hooters.

After scoring 29 points and eight assists against the Chicago Bulls on Feb. 22, the shooting guard took to X to support the restaurant chain. 

“Plz don’t go @Hooters,” Booker, 28, wrote on Feb. 22. 

The post came one day after Bloomberg reported that the chain is in talks to restructure and address its debt through bankruptcy. In September, the outlet said that the sports bar company owes $300 million in asset-backed bonds.

The NBA All-Star has a 13-year history as a fan of the chain. In 2012, he publicly shared his plans to visit Hooters.

“I'm thinking hooters tonight with the fellas,” he posted on May 9, 2012. Two hours later, he provided another update, “At hooters chillen.”

Booker’s teammate, Kevin Durant, also uploaded a post about the chain’s news. On Feb. 23, Durant, 36, posted what appears to be an AI-generated image of himself and Booker wearing Hooters T-shirts next to a plate of chicken wings. 

Luckily for Booker, a potential Chapter 11 bankruptcy does not mean the chain will be gone for good. Hooters of America closed 40 locations across the country in 2024. Yet, none were in Booker’s state of Arizona. 

Recent years have been a struggle for casual dining chains amid inflation and supply chain issues. Last year, both Red Lobster and TGI Fridays filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. 

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Booker, who is averaging 26.1 points this season, and his Suns next face off against the Memphis Grizzlies on Feb. 25.