Quote:
Originally Posted by Muta
Yes, but when is enough enough? At some point you have to forego loyalty in order to increase profit, which is what that franchise could do in another city. To quote MacTipsy, it's been a 'debacle' of monumental propotions' in Phoenix the last four years.
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It's not so much loyalty as it is big picture thinking. By fighting as long as possible to keep a team in Phoenix it sends the message to other markets that if you build us an arena we'll do the same for you. If the NHL took off at the first opportunity it may discourage other cities from making an investment, for fear of winding up with an empty building that they still have to pay for.
I'd also argue that there hasn't really been a great alternative over the past 4 years. Quebec seems to have their act together now, but that situation was hardly solid a couple of years ago. Seattle wasn't even on the horizon until relatively recently due to the arena situation. I don't think anyone has heard a peep about an interested owner in Kansas City. There's also the fact that the NHL was getting a big chunk of the losses suffered by the Coyotes covered, which makes it even more difficult to make the case for a move to a market that could otherwise bring in expansion revenue should things turn around in Phoenix.