Coyotes Tempe Entertainment District/Arena photos

[powderjunkie]

Due to NCAA compliance issues, the Coyotes would not be permitted to use Sun Devil hockey’s team areas. They would have to build their own, without contribution from ASU, which does not need the extra areas or it would have already built them. One source estimated that cost between $15 and $20 million, with all of that money coming out of owner Alex Meruelo’s pocket.


It’s still unclear how the NHLPA would feel about the decision, but the league and the NHLPA have begun discussions regarding the Coyotes’ plans for next season. There are issues with team-space requirements, revenue sharing and more that the PA will need to understand.

“The Coyotes’ anticipated move in 2022-23 from Gila River Arena in Glendale to a temporary Arizona venue raises a number of matters that the league and the NHLPA will need to work through,” a spokesperson for the NHLPA said. “Ideally, these matters will be sorted out well in advance of next season.”

"About that escrow repayment schedule...why are we throwing away 1/32ths of our revenue?"

Article goes on to say the Yotes won't even have a practice rink if they go with ASU, but it seems the Coliseum presents plenty of challenges of its own:

it’s fair to wonder why the Coyotes wouldn’t just spend the estimated $40 million to $50 million on renovations at the Coliseum where they could play and practice.

For one, playing in Tempe would allow the organization to establish a partnership and relationship with the city immediately; one that the Coyotes hope will flourish in a central location much closer to the vast majority of their premium season ticket holders. There are also revenue issues at the Coliseum that would create financial losses for Meruelo. It does not have any luxury suites. ASU’s arena includes 20 luxury suites, two group suites, a large club lounge and event-level premium club seats. Because the Coliseum is a state entity, it would also require state approval. It’s unclear how long that process would take.

In addition, the time needed to make the improvements to the Coliseum would not allow the Coyotes to play there at the start of next season. The Coyotes could have begun those improvements sooner, but sources said that they were under the assumption that they would be able to continue their year-to-year lease with the City of Glendale. When it became clear that this would be their last season at Gila River Arena, it was too late to renovate the Coliseum as an option for next season.

But all of that may still be better than playing 4th fiddle behind ASU hockey, gymnastics, and wrestling (among other things)...

Scheduling will be another issue for the Coyotes. Sun Devil hockey’s schedule is already in place for the 2022-23 season and ASU hockey will maintain priority for all future dates, a source said. ASU has 24 home dates next season and all of them are on Friday or Saturday with 7 p.m. starts. The Coyotes would need to work around that schedule with some less than optimal dates.

The multi-purpose facility is also slated to host ASU’s wrestling and gymnastics teams, concerts, conferences, youth competitions and other events.

The City of Glendale, through arena manager ASM Global, has told the Coyotes that they must vacate Gila River Arena by June 30; the end of the fiscal year.

What a mess. Kinda funny that Meruelo seems willing to pay $20-50M on duct tape solutions, but couldn't get those tax remittances in the mail.

[devo22]

this is getting embarrassing. I have no idea why the NHL is so keen on trying to push a square peg into a round hole. Just admit it's not working and move the team already.

[Gemnoble]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

Just admit failure and move it to Houston.

Houston or Quebec seem to be leading candidates.

[powderjunkie]

The league can't/won't say anything different until the season ends. I'll be interested to hear more expansive thoughts from Friedman et. al on whether this 'done deal' includes league approval or is just overconfidence from the Coyotes

[corporatejay]

How embarassing

[Beatle17]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

"About that escrow repayment schedule...why are we throwing away 1/32ths of our revenue?"

Article goes on to say the Yotes won't even have a practice rink if they go with ASU, but it seems the Coliseum presents plenty of challenges of its own:



But all of that may still be better than playing 4th fiddle behind ASU hockey, gymnastics, and wrestling (among other things)...




What a mess. Kinda funny that Meruelo seems willing to pay $20-50M on duct tape solutions, but couldn't get those tax remittances in the mail.

Due to NCAA compliance issues, the Coyotes would not be permitted to use Sun Devil hockey’s team areas. They would have to build their own, without contribution from ASU, which does not need the extra areas or it would have already built them. One source estimated that cost between $15 and $20 million, with all of that money coming out of owner Alex Meruelo’s pocket.


If this part of the article is correct then why do the Arizona Cardinals get to play at the ASU Football Stadium?

[Senator Clay Davis]

The Cardinals haven't played at Sun Devil Stadium for 15 years now. I would guess they had all of their facilities off-campus when they did play there.

[Beatle17]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

The Cardinals haven't played at Sun Devil Stadium for 15 years now. I would guess they had all of their facilities off-campus when they did play there.

Thank you.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Puppet Guy

^^^^ and the Coyotes still won't be able to fill it.

Did you skip past the post below before you made this post?

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

They're averaging 11.5k this year so it'd be a pretty significant reduction in gate revenue. But that atmosphere in a confined space could be really electric.

That's good to hear they are pulling 11.5k. Was going to hit a game in November with my Dad, but we didn't want to battle rush hour clear across the city from Mesa to see a game.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Jordan!

Phoenix/Suns have completed the renovations. That's done

The demographics for the Coyotes and desire for an arena on the east side of Central have been a need for the team to succeed.

I know it's all or nothing with Tempe and apparently a plan B in salt river indian land, that's no surprise. A 16,000 seat building in either plan a or b locations will be successful. But if this ownership group can't pull it off or if they keep shooting themselves in the foot then the team is gone.

What is the deal with the Sun's arena? The Coyotes played there many years ago. Is there no ability to go back even temporarily? Has Coyote ownership burned that bridge?

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

What is the deal with the Sun's arena? The Coyotes played there many years ago. Is there no ability to go back even temporarily? Has Coyote ownership burned that bridge?

Pretty sure it’s just not great for hockey. And the Suns did a major renovation recently so if there was any opportunity to improve it from a hockey standpoint they missed the boat


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[kyuss275]

I haven’t fully been following this but did Arizona reach a deal with Tempe for new arena or are they still in negotiating stage? If at the initial negotiation stage it could be 3-4 years till new arena. I can’t think many players are going to want to play for a team with a 5000 seat arena and more than likely less than desirable practice/dressing room areas .

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I haven’t fully been following this but did Arizona reach a deal with Tempe for new arena or are they still in negotiating stage? If at the initial negotiation stage it could be 3-4 years till new arena. I can’t think many players are going to want to play for a team with a 5000 seat arena and more than likely less than desirable practice/dressing room areas .

Still negotiating...I think a council vote is/was coming up though?

It's kind of a chicken/egg thing at this point though; hard to get a building deal without a good business plan for the next 3 years...hard to make a reasonable temporary business plan without an arena deal actually in place...

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

The Cardinals haven't played at Sun Devil Stadium for 15 years now. I would guess they had all of their facilities off-campus when they did play there.

Even after the new stadium in Glendale was built, the Cardinals still have their (off-campus) practice facility in Tempe.

[sureLoss]

As expected, other teams are upset about the ASU arena. Some say the Coyotes should be excluded from revenue sharing.

https://theathletic.com/3096608/2022...shared_article

The exact formula isn’t made public, but NHL revenue sharing is set up where teams within the top third of the league financially share revenues with the bottom two-thirds. The closer a team is to the bottom of the financial spectrum, the more they receive. The Coyotes’ plan to play at Arizona State would almost assuredly make them No. 32 in revenue. The franchise is already the least valuable in the NHL, according to rankings by both Forbes and Sportico.

“They should be excluded from revenue sharing. Why should they be rewarded?” said an executive whose team is also on the receiving end of the league’s revenue-sharing agreement. “My owner is pissed about it, other owners are pissed about it. I’m sure the players are also pissed about it.”

[Strange Brew]

Shouldn’t they already be pissed about the revenue generated by that franchise?

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Shouldn’t they already be pissed about the revenue generated by that franchise?

I still can't believe the owners haven't had the franchise move. I can't fathom why they've allowed it to fester there so long.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by GordonBlue

I still can't believe the owners haven't had the franchise move. I can't fathom why they've allowed it to fester there so long.

Just getting through this round of expansion.

[Jordan!]

How many seats were in the Corral when The Flames were waiting on the Dome to be finished??

How embarrassing for the NHL that must have been!

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Jordan!

How many seats were in the Corral when The Flames were waiting on the Dome to be finished??

How embarrassing for the NHL that must have been!

About 7K (including standing room I think). But the seats were a lot narrower too. It was crammed.