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Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame
Lanny - what was the issue with the Footprint Center (formally Talking Stick Arena?) I know the Coyotes played there the first seven seasons, still has decent capacity for hockey (around 16,000 I think), and seems like a prime location.
If I recall correctly it wasn't ideal for an NHL ring but they managed, but it had a ####ty lease situation. Wondering if that could have been resolved? I mean with Chase Field next door it seemed like a great location. I saw a couple of events in the arena and it was great. The location is great for pre and post-game activities too.
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The problem with the Jefferson Street Arena (Footprint) is it was designed for basketball. The sight lines are terrible and the experience is one of the worst in the league. They have done some renovations, but it is still a basketball arena and concert arena. Hockey was an afterthought and it shows. The Suns also want nothing to do with the Coyotes.
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I'm not familiar with Phoenix all that much, but is that former location an absolute no-go these days?
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The location is decent. Downtown Phoenix has its drawbacks but is good if you're trying to attract traffic from all over the valley. The best location is actually where the current Cubs spring training facility is. Mesa botched this when the arena debate was originally happening and it boiled down to liquor licensing and the Mormon ran City council not supporting having that level of debauchery in their city. Glendale swung in an snapped up the stadium and the area from where they ultimately should have been - the confluence of 101 and 202.