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.
The only thing the Coyotes did right at the end was bringing in Armstrong as GM.Some of the positions aren't accurate, but check this out if you want to get really mad this morning:
You must be registered for see images attach
Pleeeeease let this be the beginning of a return and not just posturing or that it dead ends. This winter has felt so much emptier without the Yotes.
Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Galvin announces formation of committee to bring NHL back to Arizona
Newly elected Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Galvin is forming an advisory committee of political and business leaders dedicated to bringing the NHL back to the Phoenix metro area. Galvin announced the move at the board’s meeting on Monday. “Losing the NHL Coyotes was a low point, and I cringed when local politicians took glee in the demise of our hockey team,” Galvin said at the meeting. “I have had several meetings with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and he looks forward to working with us to identify an owner and the best location for a world-class building.” Bettman confirmed that he met with Galvin via Zoom before Christmas. Galvin was an ardent supporter of the Coyotes as they searched for a new home after their relationship in Glendale ended after 2021-22 season. He even offered to lend a hand in their pursuit of a new home, and expressed his sympathies with fans after voters rejected the team’s Tempe project in May of 2023; a defeat that eventually led the franchise to relocate to Salt Lake City. “If the team and whoever was the property owner had a serious proposal, I would love to listen and be all ears,” he said that month. “I have an open mind. Coming from the private business world, I’m a dealmaker and love to see win-wins. If there’s a project that is going to be an economic boon for the East Valley, I’m all for it. “I am a fan of hockey, I’m a fan of sports and I’m a fan of the Valley. I want to express a lot of support for Coyotes fans who are hurting right now. I think it’s a shame that people were gleeful in the demise of this project just because they like to take shots at an organization or a sport. I have a lot of respect for hockey. I have a lot of respect for hockey fans and I think hockey is great for the Valley. I want to see it stay here for decades to come.” Check back for updates to this story. Follow Craig Morgan on Twitter |
