In 1996, the Winnipeg Jets moved to the desert of Arizona to set up shop as the Phoenix Coyotes. Since then, the club has faced and survived myriad issues from poor on-ice products, a dreadful hockey arena (America West Arena) to an unenthusiastic fan base at times to a major conflict with its current home city, Glendale.
Since 2003, the Coyotes have resided in Glendale in the now Gila River Arena.
Artist rendering of new arena – courtesy of Arizona Coyotes
On Monday, in Toronto, the Coyotes announced plans to move to Tempe, Arizona and have engaged Catellus Development Corp to develop and build a 16,000-seat arena as part of joint effort with Arizona State University’s (ASU) sports district.
“I think first and foremost it’ll stop all the speculation as to what may or may not happen to the franchise,” Commissioner Bettman said. “Secondly, it will, I believe, based on the locations I’m hearing about, ensure that from an attendance standpoint this franchise can thrive and I think it will assure the long-term future of this franchise beyond doubt.”
An attached 4,000-seat facility is planned for practice, ASU-related athletics and community-based events.
“We are thrilled to partner with Catellus on this tremendous project that will include our future new home in the East Valley,” Coyotes majority owner, chairman and governor Andrew Barroway said. “The Coyotes are committed to Arizona, and we are extremely excited about our bright future.”
The Coyotes have been at loggerheads with the Glendale City Council for years and have been searching for pathways to extricate themselves form the mess.
Over the summer, the club purchased and relocated the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League to Tucson and renamed them the Roadrunners.
That move should have signaled a recognition for a longer term presence in the Valley.
“While we have tremendous fans all across the greater Phoenix metro area, not to mention the entire state, it became clear that the East Valley is home to a majority of our fans and corporate partners,” LeBlanc said. “Our fans in the West Valley have shown us tremendous support over the past 13 years, and we look forward to working with them as we transition to our new home in the future.”
The move to Tempe would cut driving times for many of the franchise’s fans and seemingly boost attendance at games. Plus, the club gets access to the younger fan base through ASU.
In sports, as in real estate, it is all about location, location, location. And the East Valley will mean easier in and out and a more vibrant night life to capture the crowd after the games.
“It’s probably the most significant thing we will do off the ice in our tenure as owner,” LeBlanc said. “This is all about ensuring that we have a location that is easily accessible by the majority of our fan base. I know whenever you make a change like this, you are going to upset some people, and we understand that and it’s unfortunate, especially so since we have so many great fans in the West Valley. … This is a very significant day for the Coyotes; we’re just really excited to be at this point.”
For ASU, the move by the Coyotes also helps the university continue to build its hockey program; ASU moved from AA to NCAA Division I hockey two years ago.
Hockey can survive in the desert, it just needs a better location.
“It’s a location that we think is ideal. We’re very excited. We think we have the right spot,” Andrew Barroway (majority shareholder of the Arizona Coyotes) said.
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