I'm a west-sider who grew up in the East Valley. All my relatives still live in Mesa/Chandler/Gilbert. To hear them talk, they think there's nothing out here but alfalfa fields.
On a Sunday, the drive from my place in Avondale to SDS is just over 35 mins. In case you haven't noticed, the average speed on I-10 is 75-85. But once I get there, I have to park and walk, and walk, and walk to get to the stadium. (I grab a $3 spot off Lemon/Stadium) . With the MPF, you'll just park, walk (something far less than .5 mile), and you're there.
I challenge those worried about the commute to time their travel time from their front door to their seat at SDS. Then come out to a Coyotes game sometime.
It will take a winning team to draw the naysayers over from the East Valley, but once they start coming, they'll realize the MPF is much closer to home than they thought.