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In Pursuit of Stability: Coyotes Closing in on Arena Location

Photo of Igor Burdetskiy Igor Burdetskiy Follow on X December 6, 2023
1 1 minute read

The $2.1 billion sports and entertainment district that the Arizona Coyotes are supposedly close to deciding where to construct may provide a huge boost to stability for the long-struggling team.

The Coyotes are reportedly concentrating on a different piece in north Phoenix, close to Scottsdale, nearly four months after the NHL team signed a letter of intent to buy a tract of land in Mesa as the potential development location.

The new location would be a bit of a concession. It’s farther from Mesa and other parts of the southeast valley of metro Phoenix, which is home to a large chunk of the team’s season ticket base. Yet, it’s closer to Glendale, the team’s old residence, and it’s close to some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in north Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.

The company promised to keep looking into other possible development locations even after signing the letter of intent in Mesa. The team’s current home is Mullett Arena at Arizona State University, which has 5,000 seats and is less than one-third the size of the NHL’s next-smallest arena.

Within the following few months, an announcement and final decision regarding the arena site are anticipated. In the face of years of uncertainty and declining attendance, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has persisted in advocating for the Coyotes to continue in the eleventh-largest television market in the nation.

When it comes to local media rights, the Coyotes are still in transition. Recently, the team cut ties with the insolvent Diamond Sports Group and signed a new agreement with Scripps Sports to broadcast their games locally. However, that arrangement altered the precise local TV channels that were being used, and some fans had trouble finding early-season games.

In October, the squad formally filed a claim against DSG, claiming unpaid rights fees totaling about $18 million.

After only making the playoffs once in the previous 11 seasons, the Coyotes are having a fantastic season and now occupy the top wild card spot in the Western Conference.

Igor Burdetskiy

Igor Burdetskiy

Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & CEO at Hooked on Hockey Magazine
I grew up playing Ball and Roller Hockey day and night somewhat religiously throughout elementary and middle school. The two don't compare though when I lace up the skates and hit the ice. I live and breathe hockey beyond the perspective of "it's just a game" and I will gladly talk hockey for hours with anyone. Hockey is more than just a lifestyle, it's a culture of passionate people who make memories every time the puck is dropped. Hockey has not only helped me get through some of the hardest times in life but has created some of the best memories to date. Want to talk hockey with me? Shoot me an email: iburdetskiy@hookedonhockey.com and let's talk some hockey!
Igor Burdetskiy
Photo of Igor Burdetskiy Igor Burdetskiy Follow on X December 6, 2023
1 1 minute read
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