General Ongoing Coyotes saga thread

[topfiverecords]

Goldwater Institute looks to halt Glendale vote on Coyotes
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=397908

The Goldwater Institute said Thursday that its request will be filed at 8:30 a.m. Friday in Maricopa County Superior Court. The institute bases its request on its contention that the city violated the Arizona open meetings law by failing to make public all documents related to the lease.
The seven-member council is scheduled to convene at 10:15 a.m. Friday to vote on a lease that would pay prospective owner Craig Jamison $17 million a year for arena operation costs and other items. The NHL has owned the team for three seasons after buying it in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
Goldwater officials said they question the timing of the council's vote.

[troutman]

Seattle is watching closely too:

Coyotes sale possibly in trouble on multiple fronts
http://www.king5.com/sports/Coyotes-...157985265.html

[Coach]

I don't understand how the Goldwater Institute has any sort of power in these proceedings? I didn't look into it too much, but the website seems to suggest its just some sort of lobby group. But how are they legally allowed to request a halt of a vote in City Council? Couldn't the city just tell them to shove it?

[valo403]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Why? If that city has a great fanbase that shows constant support for a sports team how do they not deserve to have it?

There's no such thing as "deserving" to have a pro sports team in your city. The only cities that "deserve" teams are the cities in which someone has decided it's worth their time and money to own one.

[troutman]

If cops can't do it, surely hockey owners can't either


http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blo...Roberts/163837

A judge this week ruled that the city of Phoenix can’t pay police officers to conduct union work.

That, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Katherine Cooper ruled, is a violation of the state Constitution. Specifically, of the part of the constitution that says you can’t make a gift of public money for private concerns.


Same Judge this morning I believe.

Lisa Halverstadt ‏@LisaHalverstadtRT @smunshi
At Superior Court waiting for hearing to begin on #Goldwater's request to stop #Glendale from voting on #Coyotes deal.

[Notorious Honey Badger]

Originally Posted by valo403

There's no such thing as "deserving" to have a pro sports team in your city. The only cities that "deserve" teams are the cities in which someone has decided it's worth their time and money to own one.

From a purely business sense, this is correct. But when people here use the word deserve they aren't being black and red in their statement.

Green Bay absolutely "deserves" an NFL franchise. Fan support, loyalty, these are all vital aspects of where franchises "should" be.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by valo403

There's no such thing as "deserving" to have a pro sports team in your city. The only cities that "deserve" teams are the cities in which someone has decided it's worth their time and money to own one.

There is such a thing as good markets and bad markets.

[Jordan!]

It's gonna be a crazy day!

[valo403]

Originally Posted by MattyC

I don't understand how the Goldwater Institute has any sort of power in these proceedings? I didn't look into it too much, but the website seems to suggest its just some sort of lobby group. But how are they legally allowed to request a halt of a vote in City Council? Couldn't the city just tell them to shove it?

Like any other citizen they are entitled to bring suit

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Notorious Honey Badger

From a purely business sense, this is correct. But when people here use the word deserve they aren't being black and red in their statement.

Green Bay absolutely "deserves" an NFL franchise. Fan support, loyalty, these are all vital aspects of where franchises "should" be.

I agree, the point is that this is about a business, not a community outreach program. Businesses don't go to cities that "deserve" them, they go to cities that owners determine are worth owning them in.

Calgary doesn't "deserve" the Flames. Calgary is just fortunate that there is a group of people who recognize that the market is a viable place to own a hockey team. If someone thinks the same thing about Phoenix they "deserve" the team to the same degree.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by valo403

Like any other citizen they are entitled to bring suit

Do they have any sort of case? I mean obviously I know the finicial issues they are facing, but I'm not well-versed in the legal proceedings when it comes to this stuff.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Bouw N Arrow

It's gonna be a crazy day!

For sure - I think GWI might get an injunction, but they may only delay a vote for a few days?

[valo403]

Originally Posted by pylon

There are many cities that would embrace, and support this franchise. Winnipeg, deserved a team, Quebec City deserves a team, Hamilton Deserves a team. Having an NHL franchise is the ultimate priveledge as a hockey fan, and regardless of the crappy product the last few years, I am still incredibly grateful, I can say my home town, is in the most elite club of hockey fandom. We are an NHL city. We probably care more here about the Roughnecks, than the citizens of Phoenix care about the Coyotes.

The Phoenix coyotes are a slap in the face to NHL fans. That a city that can't even put what some TOWNS put in an arena for WHL games, at higher prices, cheapens the NHL, and is an insult to the game.

I have said it before, you could put the Coyotes in the Red Deer Centrium, and generate more revenue, have a full building every single night, and probably find a way with creative pricing to have a break even team if they were a cap floor setup. The fact this has been allowed to go on so long, is the biggest joke ever in the NHL.

Phoenix is a great sports town, unfortunately hockey just isn't considered a sport to them. Give the team to a city that cares. And it doesn't have to be Canadian in my eyes. I still think Vegas, would be the ultimate stop for them. No pro sports teams, thousands of Canadian tourists to draw off... heck, I would make the Las Vegas Bandits my second team in a heartbeat.

That's such garbage. I've asked this repeatedly of people never get an answer.

How does the presence of an NHL team in Phoenix negatively impact you personally?

[troutman]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Do they have any sort of case? I mean obviously I know the finicial issues they are facing, but I'm not well-versed in the legal proceedings when it comes to this stuff.

GWI:

Arizona’s Open Meetings Law and multiple court orders require the city to make public all documents related to the proposed contract at least 24 hours before a Council vote is taken, which it has not done.

Seems clear enough - the vote may only get delayed for a few days.

[transplant99]

Ya i find it hard to believe that the GWI can legally halt the vote....i get they can challenge the results of the vote and whatnot, but not even allowing the city to go about doing their jobs? Bizarre.

Ahhh...just saw trouts post, explains that part of things.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by valo403

That's such garbage. I've asked this repeatedly of people never get an answer.

How does the presence of an NHL team in Phoenix negatively impact you personally?

Simple. I would personally be happier to see a strong franchise in Quebec, than a weak franchise in Phoenix.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Do they have any sort of case? I mean obviously I know the finicial issues they are facing, but I'm not well-versed in the legal proceedings when it comes to this stuff.

I have no idea if their claim is valid, but this isn't a move to block the sale or the lease, it's a move to delay the vote in order to comply with an open meeting law. I'm actually on board with GWI on this, if the city isn't letting people see the documents they shouldn't be able to vote on the lease.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by troutman

Simple. I would personally be happier to see a strong franchise in Quebec, than a weak franchise in Phoenix.

So just being "happier" is a personal impact now? C'mon.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by valo403

So just being "happier" is a personal impact now? C'mon.

You are judge and jury on what is important for everyone?

[SuperMatt18]

I think its terrible that people tend to be actively cheering for the Coyotes to leave Phoenix. I don't really care one way or another what happens but for people to actually be rooting for the franchise to leave is just weird to me. If the shoe was on the other foot I doubt people would have this mindset.

Phoenix just went through an economic class that is hurting all their sports teams and it's a big reason for the struggles (combined with their first real success being this season).

How soon we forget how the Flames/Oilers were close to having to move when the Canadian economy was in the tank and the teams were consistantly losing.