So Are The Coyotes Staying or Leaving?

[AZ Native]

From AZCentral.com

Negotiations to keep the Phoenix Coyotes in Arizona fell to a new level of chaos Friday evening, with both Glendale officials and the team’s prospective owners saying they cannot overcome their latest impasse.

Unless the sides somehow overcome their differences during the next few days, the Coyotes’ fate seems sealed.

Call in the moving vans. Destination: unknown.

The impasse arose Friday during what was supposed to be a public workshop to discuss a proposed agreement between the council and the prospective team owner, IceArizona, an investment group headed by partners doing business as Renaissance Sports & Entertainment. The agreement is for IceArizona to use and manage Jobing.com Arena.

But council members revealed during the hearing that earlier that day they had devised a counterproposal. Specifically, they wanted a five-year out clause that mirrored provisions IceArizona executive had given themselves.

 

[Lefty]

They have until July 2nd to get an agreement done or the NHL will look to relocate, most likely to Seattle. Looks very bleak right now.

 

[82CardsGrad]

So tonight is the big night... Nobody seems to have even the slightest clue as to how the council will vote.
The deal that is being considered is extremely complex. But when it's all said and done, it's hard for me to see how the council could vote NO, as there is simply no other alternative use for the arena that would even come close to generating the type of revenue on a routine basis, that the Coyotes would generate... Yes, even with the Coyotes there the city of Glendale could very well still lose money. However, they will absolutely lose a ton more should the Coyotes leave.
Of course, even if they vote to keep the Yotes, the deal includes an out-clause that could let the new ownership out of this deal within 5 years... so, a YES vote could only be a temporary stay of execution... Ugghhhhh....

I really hope they stay. As much as I hate the fact that they play in the middle of nowhere, and that if they had built a home downtown, or, even better - in Scottsdale in the Salt River Fields complex - none of this would be an issue... I still love the fact that we have a NHL team in the valley.

 

[Skratchy_Seal]

I hope they stay. I think if they vote yes and do away with this uncertainty each of these past seasons, they can gain much more support and interest.

 

[crisper57]

Looks like they will stay. Opponents are throwing tantrums. Supporters are gloating leading up to the vote.

 

[SECTION 11]

My god, this is just sad. Either way it's just a bad scene. Glendale was a bad idea then, and it's a bad idea now, but they're stuck with each other.

 

[crisper57]

My god, this is just sad. Either way it's just a bad scene. Glendale was a bad idea then, and it's a bad idea now, but they're stuck with each other.

Wish a tribe would build the an arena on the east side. Bypass GW institute altogether...

 

[SECTION 11]

Wish a tribe would build the an arena on the east side. Bypass GW institute altogether...

It could have been great

 

[ajcardfan]

My god, this is just sad. Either way it's just a bad scene. Glendale was a bad idea then, and it's a bad idea now, but they're stuck with each other.

Yeah, but it's better than no hockey scene in the Valley at all. Can't wait for the day we have that Stanley Cup parade in 115 degrees!

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Let's go Coyotes!

 

[Kel Varnsen]

 

[Gee!]

Last year at this time a Canadian traitor decided he wanted to be a Laker.. This year, Glendale decides to keep a bunch of Canadians in AZ..

Just an observation

 

[Skratchy_Seal]

Anyone know if the team secured the 5-year opt-out clause as part of the approved deal? I really hope it doesn't turn out that we're just renting the team for 5 years.

 

[crisper57]

Anyone know if the team secured the 5-year opt-out clause as part of the approved deal? I really hope it doesn't turn out that we're just renting the team for 5 years.

The team got the 5 year opt out deal. The city didn't get one. They were able to get the team to concede to make the city whole financially if they do opt out.

 

[BillsCarnage]

Anyone know if the team secured the 5-year opt-out clause as part of the approved deal? I really hope it doesn't turn out that we're just renting the team for 5 years.

That's my big concern. Come year 6, we fans may be in the same boat. After year 6 RSE won't owe CoG any money to cover their losses.

But, I've always thought the metro area can support hockey even with the team out in Glendale. Now that they have an owner who actually cares about hockey and is a marketer by trait, it should be successful. Not DET or TOR successful, but SJ successful.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

That's my big concern. Come year 6, we fans may be in the same boat. After year 6 RSE won't owe CoG any money to cover their losses.

But, I've always thought the metro area can support hockey even with the team out in Glendale. Now that they have an owner who actually cares about hockey and is a marketer by trait, it should be successful. Not DET or TOR successful, but SJ successful.

The pieces are in place. They have a coach and GM that know the sport well and have done wonders in building the team up in to a contender. After the Gretzky-Moyes fiasco years, that was step one in the right direction. Now, they have owners who are HOCKEY people and marketing gurus who will work on getting behinds in seats.

Following this team, I'm not going to say we all can exhale completely; however I think for the first time since Moyes declared for bankruptcy, we all as a fan base can finally breathe a little easier.