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In 2013, the Phoenix suburb of Glendale entered into an agreement that it would pay the Coyotes $15 million a year for 15 years to not only play games at Gila River Arena, but also manage daily operations there. With the city losing upwards of $8 million per year on the deal, council members hastily called a meeting Wednesday, at which they voted to cancel that lease, based on a loophole.
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Now there is a major question about where, exactly, the Coyotes will play next season. Some Phoenix officials want to bring the club back downtown, but another possibility could be a move to Las Vegas, where the NHL has explored the possibility of placing an expansion team, or one of various other cities that have attempted to lure a hockey team in recent years. However, IceArizona is expected to fight the council’s decision and try to stay put, with the same lease terms.
And considering that stadium deals often take years to hash out, it's quite possible that the Coyotes franchise will have to find a temporary home city while it explores its long-term options, perhaps in yet a third city.
Where might they end up? Hamilton and Kansas City have arenas ready to go. Quebec's new arena will be completed by the time the season starts. And most metro areas have a building that would do on a temporary (ie, season or two) basis. Really, this isn't a bad thing for the NHL. Most of the Sun Belt expansion was extremely ill-advised. A move to Canada might not give the NHL the American ratings they crave, but it would be a good move for the long-term vitality of the sport.
This will be an interesting story to follow over the summer. Most analysts think Glendale has no legal leg to stand on and will be easily defeated in court. Others are saying the Coyotes will be playing in Glendale for, at least, one more season.
There's chatter of a return to US Airways Center and once again sharing a venue with the Suns. IceArizona appears determined to stay in the Phoenix area but they could just call Glendale's bluff and relocate if another suitor throws their hat into the ring.
Glendale has been horribly manage for many years and I feel horrible for the citizens there who are screwed with or without the Coyotes in town.
I'm pulling for a return to downtown Phoenix. That would benefit me immensely.
Seattle is closer to having an NHL ready rink than Vegas, and because of the current imbalance of east- west number of teams, I don't see this team moving into the eastern half of the continent, unless they stay in the Western Conference.
screw glendale, the city had no business wasting taxpayer money on a hockey team..especially one in the Southwest US. So now they will probaly lose the hockey franchise, and are out millions of dollars, plus will have to spend more in legal fees to fight the lawsyuits...screw glendale...I knew Glendale was making a mistake when the coyotes first went bankrupt and the the NHL bought the team, then extorted the City of Glendale to pimp them out.
Seattle is closer to having an NHL ready rink than Vegas, and because of the current imbalance of east- west number of teams, I don't see this team moving into the eastern half of the continent, unless they stay in the Western Conference.
As Vancouver Canucks fan I hope it goes to Seattle as it would be nice to have a second NHL Franchise in the PNW and create a great a great PNW rivalry that would be profitable and create some great Hockey for fans of both teams.
Knowing Gary Betteman my guess is the NHL will will sue to keep the 'Yotes in Glendale, AZ atleast for a few more seasons since he seems pretty entrenched in trying to make this team work in the current location.
As Vancouver Canucks fan I hope it goes to Seattle as it would be nice to have a second NHL Franchise in the PNW and create a great a great PNW rivalry that would be profitable and create some great Hockey for fans of both teams.
Knowing Gary Betteman my guess is the NHL will will sue to keep the 'Yotes in Glendale, AZ atleast for a few more seasons since he seems pretty entrenched in trying to make this team work in the current location.
I don't know why he is so enamored with the idea of Arizona and Nevada, there are a lot of transplants, sure, and when teams from cold weather cities visit during the winter, yes, there are a fair number of folks who will book a flight on SW or some other low cost carrier, and will attend a games out that way, but still, it is hard to get a local fan base growing.
And considering that stadium deals often take years to hash out, it's quite possible that the Coyotes franchise will have to find a temporary home city while it explores its long-term options, perhaps in yet a third city.
Where might they end up? Hamilton and Kansas City have arenas ready to go. Quebec's new arena will be completed by the time the season starts. And most metro areas have a building that would do on a temporary (ie, season or two) basis. Really, this isn't a bad thing for the NHL. Most of the Sun Belt expansion was extremely ill-advised. A move to Canada might not give the NHL the American ratings they crave, but it would be a good move for the long-term vitality of the sport.
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