Why? The Coyotes team name is held now by the NHL and any expansion team would have the opportunity to use it for a future team. This forum can be used to discuss the search for land for a possible arena, getting an expansion team, following players on the former Yotes team now in Utah, the NHL in general, etc. Technically, they are only on hiatus.
Getting rid of Meruelo is the best possible thing that could happen for hockey in the valley.
Unfortunately, it seems he retains his ownership over the Roadrunners and has plans to move them to Reno, NV as a last F U to AZ. That sucks.
I am starting to doubt he really was a billionaire. With all the problems he had running a business at the most basic level, and the cash flow problems he had, I really doubt someone with this issues could be a billionaire.
Having lived up in Reno, the people up there would really support the Rodarunners. It really does suck for Tucson because all I have ever read is the fans there have always been loyal to the team.
I am thinking it would have to be someone like Wayne Gretzky wanting to own a team with a group of deep pockets to make it work. I feel like some hockey owners aren't really hockey fans. It's just a way to own a sports team when that can't get a baseball, basketball, or football team. Was Meruelo even ever a real fan of hockey? I don't remember reading where he ever referred to have watched hockey growing up, could name any players, or even said he had a favorite team he liked to watch.
www.sportico.com
Ishbia Hopes to Return NHL to Phoenix, Possibly in New Arena
Mat Ishbia, the owner of the Suns and Mercury, foresees a return of the NHL to Phoenix, and perhaps a new downtown arena.
ISHBIA:
“I’m definitely going to be part of the community, and if I can help bring hockey back, I’ll look at that,” he said. “It’s definitely something I’m interested in. It’s a four-sport town. I’m disappointed we don’t have a hockey team, but I understand what happened, and we’re going to try to fix that one day.”.......
“I’m disappointed we don’t have a hockey team here. That’s what I’ll say,” he said. “Phoenix is a four-sport town. Maybe five if you want to include soccer, but it’s a four-sports town. Baseball, football, basketball and hockey. And I hope that one day we’ll be able to get hockey back.”.............
Ishbia believes a new downtown arena is in the city’s future, and there’s plenty of room south of the current facility to build it, which is just what the NHL wants.
Considering everything that led to the Coyotes' demise, I really believe the only way it works in Phoenix is if the NBA and NHL are housed in the same building and owned by the same, extremely wealthy, person. So many of the headwinds are alleviated with that potent combo.
