No, the US TV deal was not signed with Phoenix/Arizona in mind. However, from a TV market perspective, Phoenix is important. So was Atlanta - which is a bigger TV market than Phoenix. The only reason the Coyotes still exist is that someone's willing to own a team in that market. So long as that remains the case (and they have a place to play), the Coyotes will stay there. If nobody is willing to own a team there, they will follow the Thrashers into the dustbin of history.
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