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Post by mikecubs on Aug 10, 2023 20:32:03 GMT -6
Coyotes buy land in NW Mesa for potential new sports arena
Arizona Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo has executed a letter of intent to purchase a parcel of land in northwest Mesa to potentially build a new sports arena and entertainment district for the franchise. "The Coyotes remain committed to building the first privately funded sports facility in Arizona history and ensuring the Valley as the club's permanent home," the team said in a statement Wednesday. Terms were not disclosed. In addition to the northwest Mesa site, the Coyotes are "looking at multiple sites so we can expect other letters of intent," a source told ESPN. The Coyotes called Glendale home from 2003 until 2022, when the city council decided not to renew their arena lease. The team is entering its second season at Mullett Arena, a 5,000-seat facility on the Arizona State campus in Tempe. The move to ASU was a temporary fix while Meruelo sought to build a $2.1 billion entertainment district in Tempe, on a landfill owned by the city. But that plan was rejected by voters on a special election ballot in May, in a result that shocked the Coyotes and made the NHL "terribly disappointed," according to commissioner Gary Bettman. Speculation grew that the team could relocate to cities such as Houston or Salt Lake City. But the Coyotes steadfastly continued to search for new arena sites in the East Valley. In June, Coyotes CEO Xavier Gutierrez said the team had "a half dozen" potential locations on their radar, all of which would not require a public vote for the construction of an arena."I think referendums have proven to be very difficult, not just for us," Gutierrez said. "You look at the backlash that certain other sports teams are having, it's very clear that there is a narrative that this isn't what really the public wants to approve via a vote. And so we're looking at other options." T he site Meruelo intends to purchase is an empty parcel of land in northwest Mesa. That would keep the team near its desired markets of Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale."We appreciate the tremendous support that we have received from many communities, elected officials, and community leaders who have expressed their desire to see the Coyotes remain in the Valley permanently," the team said Wednesday. "We would also like to thank NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly for their steadfast support of the club's efforts to find a permanent arena solution, and for their recognition that Arizona is a tremendous hockey market." www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/38162060/coyotes-buy-land-potential-new-arena-entertainment-district
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Post by wolfmannick on Aug 11, 2023 6:43:41 GMT -6
And I'm sure as long as he says hes working on land the nhl will give them time. They still have two years at mullet to find something
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Post by mikecubs on Feb 4, 2024 5:07:41 GMT -6
NHLPA's Walsh says Coyotes' arena limbo 'not the way to run a business'NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh believes the Arizona Coyotes should relocate if there isn't a suitable arena plan in place by the end of the 2023-24 NHL season. " If there's no plan in Arizona, I would encourage a move to another location, absolutely," said Walsh, speaking at NHL All-Star Weekend on Friday. "I think the league feels that Arizona is a good market and I can understand that. T he issue I have, and the players have, is how long do you wait to get a home? They're playing in a college arena and they're the second tenant in that arena. This is not the way to run a business."
The Coyotes called Glendale home from 2003 until 2022, when the city council decided not to renew their arena lease. The team is playing its second season at Mullett Arena, a 5,000-seat building on the campus of Arizona State University. It was a temporary fix while owner Alex Meruelo sought to build a $2.1 billion entertainment district in Tempe, on a landfill owned by the city. But that plan was rejected by voters on a special election ballot last May, which sent the team scrambling for alternatives. When asked whether Coyotes players would support an abrupt relocation after this season, Walsh said that "the players want to play in an NHL arena." He also blasted the team for not working with the players' union since he took over last year. " I'm extremely disappointed in the ownership of Arizona and the president of Arizona. We have a team in Arizona that doesn't seem interested in having conversation with the union who represents the players that play on that team," he said. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said that Coyotes' arena situation "will be addressed in the next few weeks," as Meruelo "is focused on one piece of property." L ast August, Meruelo executed a letter of intent to purchase a parcel of land in Mesa to potentially build a new sports arena and entertainment district."Alex Meruelo told me as recently as last week that he was certain he was going to get this done. I don't make it a practice of contradicting owners unless I have hard facts to the contrary," said Bettman on Friday. "I'm both hopeful and reasonably confident that he's going to do what he says." Bettman stressed that the NHL is not in an expansion mode, nor is it interested in relocating a team. That's despite significant interest from Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith in bringing a team to Salt Lake City, although Bettman characterized that interest as being focused more on expansion than relocation. "We have no formal expansion process set up. We're listening to the expressions of interest, and I think it's fair to say that the Utah expression of interest has been the most aggressive and has carried a lot of energy with it," said Bettman. Bettman mentioned the league has had conversations with representatives from Houston, Atlanta, Kansas City and Cincinnati about potential NHL expansion. Walsh said he hasn't seen the data on Salt Lake City's viability as a market, other than that it's growing as a market. He speculated a team there "could be another Vegas Golden Knights or Seattle Kraken," citing two recent NHL expansion success stories. He also didn't rule out Utah as the next home for the Coyotes, as he again expressed exasperation with their lack of an arena plan. "The next deadline for me is tomorrow. I mean, it's right now," he said. www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39445639/nhlpa-walsh-says-coyotes-arena-limbo-not-way-run-business
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Post by 2b9 on Feb 4, 2024 10:30:45 GMT -6
NHLPA's Walsh says Coyotes' arena limbo 'not the way to run a business'NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh believes the Arizona Coyotes should relocate if there isn't a suitable arena plan in place by the end of the 2023-24 NHL season. " If there's no plan in Arizona, I would encourage a move to another location, absolutely," said Walsh, speaking at NHL All-Star Weekend on Friday. "I think the league feels that Arizona is a good market and I can understand that. T he issue I have, and the players have, is how long do you wait to get a home? They're playing in a college arena and they're the second tenant in that arena. This is not the way to run a business."
The Coyotes called Glendale home from 2003 until 2022, when the city council decided not to renew their arena lease. The team is playing its second season at Mullett Arena, a 5,000-seat building on the campus of Arizona State University. It was a temporary fix while owner Alex Meruelo sought to build a $2.1 billion entertainment district in Tempe, on a landfill owned by the city. But that plan was rejected by voters on a special election ballot last May, which sent the team scrambling for alternatives. When asked whether Coyotes players would support an abrupt relocation after this season, Walsh said that "the players want to play in an NHL arena." He also blasted the team for not working with the players' union since he took over last year. " I'm extremely disappointed in the ownership of Arizona and the president of Arizona. We have a team in Arizona that doesn't seem interested in having conversation with the union who represents the players that play on that team," he said. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said that Coyotes' arena situation "will be addressed in the next few weeks," as Meruelo "is focused on one piece of property." L ast August, Meruelo executed a letter of intent to purchase a parcel of land in Mesa to potentially build a new sports arena and entertainment district."Alex Meruelo told me as recently as last week that he was certain he was going to get this done. I don't make it a practice of contradicting owners unless I have hard facts to the contrary," said Bettman on Friday. "I'm both hopeful and reasonably confident that he's going to do what he says." Bettman stressed that the NHL is not in an expansion mode, nor is it interested in relocating a team. That's despite significant interest from Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith in bringing a team to Salt Lake City, although Bettman characterized that interest as being focused more on expansion than relocation. "We have no formal expansion process set up. We're listening to the expressions of interest, and I think it's fair to say that the Utah expression of interest has been the most aggressive and has carried a lot of energy with it," said Bettman. Bettman mentioned the league has had conversations with representatives from Houston, Atlanta, Kansas City and Cincinnati about potential NHL expansion. Walsh said he hasn't seen the data on Salt Lake City's viability as a market, other than that it's growing as a market. He speculated a team there "could be another Vegas Golden Knights or Seattle Kraken," citing two recent NHL expansion success stories. He also didn't rule out Utah as the next home for the Coyotes, as he again expressed exasperation with their lack of an arena plan. "The next deadline for me is tomorrow. I mean, it's right now," he said. www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39445639/nhlpa-walsh-says-coyotes-arena-limbo-not-way-run-business A disaster right from the beginning after the Winnipeg Jets were relocated to Arizona, and the disaster continues with possibly no end in sight.
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Post by wolfmannick on Feb 4, 2024 11:43:23 GMT -6
As much noise as salt lake city is making I still gotta think Houston is the preferred choice IF the league does pull the plug and let the team finally relocate. Much bigger market for TV ratings and what not
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Post by 2b9 on Feb 4, 2024 11:57:17 GMT -6
As much noise as salt lake city is making I still gotta think Houston is the preferred choice IF the league does pull the plug and let the team finally relocate. Much bigger market for TV ratings and what not Good pointπ.
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Post by Ric O. on Feb 4, 2024 22:20:46 GMT -6
As much noise as salt lake city is making I still gotta think Houston is the preferred choice IF the league does pull the plug and let the team finally relocate. Much bigger market for TV ratings and what not Yeah, I think Houston would be a slam dunk success. But it's such a huge market, I see them as an expansion location, eventually so NHL and its owners can split the 1B+ expansion fee.
I think for relocation, it happens so rarely these days, they like the smaller markets. NHL gets a decent cut for facilitating the move, they get a much better market or situation than the one they're leaving (hopefully). I always thought KC would be that next relocation market but SLC may be a better choice...although NHL will be competing with NBA in that market. Maybe it's a bit of a gamble but I have a feeling it would work well there.
QC it seems never shows up on the radar for relocation buzz anymore.
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Post by mikecubs on Feb 5, 2024 22:28:18 GMT -6
I don't think the Rockets owner is willing to pay the NHL's price. Ryan Smith the Utah Jazz owner sounds like he badly wants the NHL and would pay. A new arena would be built since the Jazz current arena is worst for hockey than the Barclays Center. Supposedly it sounds like the Jazz would stay at their current arena and the hockey team would be in the new arena. This is a dumb idea. Both should share the new arena and the old should be demolished.
Salt Lake City is growing very fast and is a bigger CSA than Kansas City which is stagnant population wise. I think the NHL should be ok as long as MLB doesn't come. There is a group that wants an expansion MLB team.
With the attendance struggles of the Jets and the NHL wanting bigger US markets for the TV deal the ship on QC has sailed.
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Post by 2b9 on Feb 6, 2024 6:25:28 GMT -6
I don't think the Rockets owner is willing to pay the NHL's price. Ryan Smith the Utah Jazz owner sounds like he badly wants the NHL and would pay. A new arena would be built since the Jazz current arena is worst for hockey than the Barclays Center. Supposedly it sounds like the Jazz would stay at their current arena and the hockey team would be in the new arena. This is a dumb idea. Both should share the new arena and the old should be demolished. Salt Lake City is growing very fast and is a bigger CSA than Kansas City which is stagnant population wise. I think the NHL should be ok as long as MLB doesn't come. There is a group that wants an expansion MLB team. With the attendance struggles of the Jets and the NHL wanting bigger US markets for the TV deal the ship on QC has sailed. Really hoping that some day Quebec City gets a team.
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Post by mikecubs on Mar 15, 2024 15:25:57 GMT -6
Coyotes clear to bid on land in north Phoenix for new arena siteThe Arizona Coyotes have the green light to bid on a tract of land in north Phoenix in their yearslong effort to build a new arena. The Arizona State Land Department board of appeals unanimously approved the $68.5 million appraisal of the 95 acres Thursday. The decision sets the stage for the department to sell the land at auction with a starting price of $68.5 million. The next step is to set an auction date, which must be publicly advertised for 10 weeks.Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo looked at various potential arena sites around the valley before zeroing in on the tract of land near Scottsdale. "People are craving certainty," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said recently. " And we are, too, but this isn't a 60-minute game where the light goes on and the game's over. [Meruelo] is working on it. We still have some time."The Coyotes have been searching for a permanent home since their former owner took the franchise in bankruptcy in 2009. The team appeared to have stable footing at then-Gila River Arena, but the city of Glendale backed out of a multimillion-dollar lease agreement in 2015. The Coyotes had leased Gila River Arena on a yearly basis before the city terminated the contract following the 2021-22 season. Arizona has played the past two seasons at Mullett Arena, a 5,000-seat facility that is by far the NHL's smallest and is shared with Arizona State University. www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39733528/coyotes-clear-bid-land-north-phoenix-new-arena-site
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Post by mikecubs on Mar 15, 2024 15:27:15 GMT -6
The Coyotes will get 1 more year at least to work this out.
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Post by 2b9 on Mar 15, 2024 16:42:30 GMT -6
Coyotes clear to bid on land in north Phoenix for new arena siteThe Arizona Coyotes have the green light to bid on a tract of land in north Phoenix in their yearslong effort to build a new arena. The Arizona State Land Department board of appeals unanimously approved the $68.5 million appraisal of the 95 acres Thursday. The decision sets the stage for the department to sell the land at auction with a starting price of $68.5 million. The next step is to set an auction date, which must be publicly advertised for 10 weeks.Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo looked at various potential arena sites around the valley before zeroing in on the tract of land near Scottsdale. "People are craving certainty," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said recently. " And we are, too, but this isn't a 60-minute game where the light goes on and the game's over. [Meruelo] is working on it. We still have some time."The Coyotes have been searching for a permanent home since their former owner took the franchise in bankruptcy in 2009. The team appeared to have stable footing at then-Gila River Arena, but the city of Glendale backed out of a multimillion-dollar lease agreement in 2015. The Coyotes had leased Gila River Arena on a yearly basis before the city terminated the contract following the 2021-22 season. Arizona has played the past two seasons at Mullett Arena, a 5,000-seat facility that is by far the NHL's smallest and is shared with Arizona State University. www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39733528/coyotes-clear-bid-land-north-phoenix-new-arena-site Here we go again. Letβs see what happens.
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Post by 2b9 on Mar 15, 2024 16:43:43 GMT -6
The Coyotes will get 1 more year at least to work this out. Going to be interesting. Cheers, 2b9πππ
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Post by mikecubs on Mar 16, 2024 13:06:26 GMT -6
The Coyotes will get 1 more year at least to work this out. Going to be interesting. Cheers, 2b9πππ I bet they will get it done with a massive entertainment district around the arena.
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Post by 2b9 on Mar 16, 2024 15:10:45 GMT -6
Going to be interesting. Cheers, 2b9πππ I bet they will get it done with a massive entertainment district around the arena. It would be about time. However though, I bet the Players wonβt be to happy to be playing at Mullet Arena for the next 3 years. 3 years is what itβs gonna take to have something like this completed, maybe even more than that. Cheers, 2b9πππ
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