General Ongoing Coyotes saga thread

[valo403]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

Don't mind him, Bouw's developed a bit of a complex that everyone hates Arizona just because of this whole thing.

I guess it's because everyone is compelled to repeat the fact that the Coyotes have not proven economically viable in Glendale and that this lease by the lame-duck council is insane.

The thing is that there was a period of time where people were going out of their way to take shots at anything Arizona, it was pretty ridiculous. Not terrible in here, but the general media tone in Canada was absurd. That doesn't seem to be the case anymore though, so I'm guessing he's like one of those Japanese soldiers hiding out years after WWII who thinks the battle is still on.

[Jordan!]

Originally Posted by valo403

The thing is that there was a period of time where people were going out of their way to take shots at anything Arizona, it was pretty ridiculous. Not terrible in here, but the general media tone in Canada was absurd. That doesn't seem to be the case anymore though, so I'm guessing he's like one of those Japanese soldiers hiding out years after WWII who thinks the battle is still on.

There were actually alot of assumptions that players didn't want to go to Arizona because hockey wasn't #1

But get a stable owner, keep winning, and this place will be a prime place to play for guys.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Bouw N Arrow

There were actually alot of assumptions that players didn't want to go to Arizona because hockey wasn't #1

But get a stable owner, keep winning, and this place will be a prime place to play for guys.

Really? I'd never heard that. I'd heard talk that players didn't want to go there because it was unstable, I've never heard any talk about "hockey not being #1". That would be the case for a ton of markets.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by troutman

Not unexpected, but that was pure balls by a lame-duck council to vote on such a large contract. Were they visionary or negligent?

Lots of questions:

If the money is "in place", why does Jamison need another 30-60 days?

Why wouldn't Jamison reveal the identity of his investors, when asked by Scruggs? COG is committing to big expenditures on good faith.

Can you imagine the fallout if Tohono O'odham turned out to be the lead investor?

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by valo403

The thing is that there was a period of time where people were going out of their way to take shots at anything Arizona, it was pretty ridiculous.

Fair, although Bouw needs to shoulder some of that blame himself.

[troutman]

What do we make of this? Hockey Opera . . .

http://hfboards.hockeysfuture.com/sh...1298793&page=4

Scruggs asked Jamison if he was going to contract with LLCs featuring former Glendale city employees as part of the sublease language @ 6.3. Jamison said he did not know what she meant. It was an incredible exchange and had terrible optics. I watched it twice. If you've ever seen a witness trapped in cross examination, that's exactly what Mr. Jamison looked like to me. Jamison ultimately said he was not planning to assign subleases to former city employees but the clear impression he left was that he wanted to dodge the question very badly - which is generally a sign of someone being less than honest.

Background on this: @ 6.3 the agreement allows JIG to sublease the arena management to a 3rd Party. The sublease requires approval from the city - however, the city cannot without that approval as long as the sublease manager fulfills the obligations of the agreement. Further, Scruggs said that she believed that LLCs including former city employees (I interpreted this to mean Beasley and Associates) were in line to receive subleases. This is a fascinating development as it amounts to a thinly veiled acquisition of sublease assignments as kickbacks to the city staff that helped get the deal passed.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by WilderPegasus

I doubt that. Many players probably treasure the anonymity that Arizona provides.

Or in Doan's case he can concentrate all year round on what he is truly passionate about, horses and golf.

[Jordan!]

Great editorial below:

http://www.rantsports.com/nhl/2012/1...s-lease-story/

In the first 3.5 seasons at Glendale Arena (now Jobing.com Arena) the Coyotes had 88% occupancy. In those 3.5 years, they had more attendance than the Chicago Blackhawks (twice), Washington Capitals (twice) and the Boston Bruins (once).
Read more at http://www.rantsports.com/nhl/2012/1...M6LxzpHcC2M.99

[TorqueDog]

^You set the bar pretty low on "great" there.

He called the guy out in one thing for not presenting any backing for his claims, then uses the word "reportedly" when talking about a 'bonafide' offer. He also uses the first 3.5 years of attendance at Jobing.com (which weren't great, but weren't awful) to excuse away the last three which have been terrible.

Comforting to your bias at best, but hardly 'great'.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by troutman

What do we make of this? Hockey Opera . . .

http://hfboards.hockeysfuture.com/sh...1298793&page=4

Scruggs asked Jamison if he was going to contract with LLCs featuring former Glendale city employees as part of the sublease language @ 6.3. Jamison said he did not know what she meant. It was an incredible exchange and had terrible optics. I watched it twice. If you've ever seen a witness trapped in cross examination, that's exactly what Mr. Jamison looked like to me. Jamison ultimately said he was not planning to assign subleases to former city employees but the clear impression he left was that he wanted to dodge the question very badly - which is generally a sign of someone being less than honest.

Background on this: @ 6.3 the agreement allows JIG to sublease the arena management to a 3rd Party. The sublease requires approval from the city - however, the city cannot without that approval as long as the sublease manager fulfills the obligations of the agreement. Further, Scruggs said that she believed that LLCs including former city employees (I interpreted this to mean Beasley and Associates) were in line to receive subleases. This is a fascinating development as it amounts to a thinly veiled acquisition of sublease assignments as kickbacks to the city staff that helped get the deal passed.

I've been waiting for that shoe to fall.

[troutman]

The Coyotes had 88% occupancy

You might believe in Santa too. Those numbers seem cooked. Maybe this is true if occupancy does not mean tickets sold.

The most troubling number for me is only 3,000 households watch regional Coyotes games.

[Resolute 14]

When they say occupancy, they mean tickets distributed, not tickets sold or turnstile count.

[troutman]

Coyotes' deal not sitting well with opponents


http://www.kpho.com/story/20211492/c...03kJMk.twitter

"I'm not overly happy with the decision made, but we'll take that decision and run with it the best we can," said Mayor-Elect Jerry Weiers.

He will replace Scruggs next year. He says the council should not have voted on this issue until the new members were sworn in.

"It is what it is, the council, the current council passed it. It's something I'm going to have to deal with," he said.

Not if Glendale resident Ken Jones gets his way.

"Go down to City Hall tomorrow and get our information to start a referendum to get this thing to a public vote," Jones said.

The Goldwater Institute has been very vocal about not supporting a taxpayer-funded team. Lawyers with the conservative public policy group have threatened legal action before.

CBS 5 News reached out to them today asking if they're going to challenge this current deal, they said, 'No comment."

[Resolute 14]

Obvious headline is obvious.

Also, interesting that the reporter went on a fishing expedition from Goldwater and came up empty.

[Jordan!]

I'd be very surprised if Goldwater challenged this deal. A friend of mine works for the Institute and said they have no intentions to touch the Coyotes deal outside of a public comment that they oppose it.

They bailed on Ken jones and Cobb during their signature collection epic failure.

[valo403]

GWI has always appeared to be more of a political group than a group willing to take on an actual legal challenge.

[Ped]

Originally Posted by Bouw N Arrow

I'd be very surprised if Goldwater challenged this deal. A friend of mine works for the Institute and said they have no intentions to touch the Coyotes deal outside of a public comment that they oppose it.

They bailed on Ken jones and Cobb during their signature collection epic failure.

Probably in this thread somewhere, but do you have a short explanation of what GWI is? I always hear about it but have never taken the time to look into it.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Ped

Probably in this thread somewhere, but do you have a short explanation of what GWI is? I always hear about it but have never taken the time to look into it.

The Goldwater Institute is a Phoenix, Arizona-based conservative[3][4][5][6][7] public policy advocacy and research organization established in 1988 with the blessing of the late Senator Barry Goldwater.[8] The president is Darcy A. Olsen. The Goldwater Institute advocates and advances public policies with emphasis on lower taxes, limited government spending, school choice, and a reduction in government management of the economy. It describes its mission "to advance freedom and protect the Constitution,"[9] and it is devoted to the principles championed by the late Senator Barry Goldwater such as "individual rights, economic freedom, and a government of strictly limited powers."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldwater_Institute

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by valo403

GWI has always appeared to be more of a political group than a group willing to take on an actual legal challenge.

One or more of the GWI board members are also on the Diamondbacks board? They could be accused of favouritism if they go after the hockey team. They may have been told to cool it by their league.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

One or more of the GWI board members are also on the Diamondbacks board? They could be accused of favouritism if they go after the hockey team. They may have been told to cool it by their league.

Possible, that part was always a little fishy. The Coyotes aren't a direct competitor to the D-Backs but one less entertainment option wouldn't hurt them.