[News] UPD: City of Glendale to vote on new arena agreement with Coyotes

[Resolute 14]

That being said, apparently the City of Phoenix is interested in bringing the Coyotes back into the Suns arena while they figure out building a new rink.

That would be something... Coyotes back in a sensible part of Phoenix with another rink paid for by someone else, and Glendale left holding the bag. And, unless they can defend breaking the lease in court, possibly bankrupt.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

It's true, but is it really a wise thing to say if you want to keep a team in Glendale long term?

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Coyotes are also as stupid as the City.

They plan on suing for $200 million? What taxpayer in his right mind would actually buy tickets to the Coyotes after they just sued you (literally). Gong show no other words.

Sounds like they know the team isn't going to be there much longer regardless.

[White Out 403]

It's mind bending to me to see Coyotes fans who live in Glendale cheer on a possible law suit against their own city. Aren't these the same buffoons who went to COG meetings beating the drum of this sweet heart deal? Where were all these hockey lovers last 2 years? Do they really want to see their city go tits up over hockey that no one watches?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I'm not sure if the Quebec scenario really played a role. Don't forget, the current alignment wasn't the first choice of the BoG. The original plan was to have the Western Conference with more teams until the NHLPA rejected it.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=604852

Once the Wings and Jackets were moved east, the players accepted it. But I have my doubts that the league tailored expansion plans based on something that wasn't their first choice to begin with.

Yeah okay but whatever their motives the re-alignment has created a problem for QC and what the NHL has been talking about is expansion to the West with Las Vegas and Seattle being the priority and none about Quebec. I'm not saying Quebec has no chance but their odds for an expansion franchise or moving the Coyotes there is slim as they would need to convince Detroit or Columbus to move back West.

[Resolute 14]

^I'm still convinced Quebec City was pegged as a landing spot for the Panthers should they go. That said, the Loonie losing 20% of its value doesn't help Quebec's odds.

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Coyotes are also as stupid as the City.

They plan on suing for $200 million? What taxpayer in his right mind would actually buy tickets to the Coyotes after they just sued you (literally). Gong show no other words.

The city of Glendale represents only about 5% of the population of the Phoenix MSA. The threatened lawsuit would impact only a tiny number of taxpayers who are also buying Coyotes tickets. And if you read elsewhere, you would find that an overwhelming majority of Coyotes fans to comment are fully on the side of the team.

[thefoss1957]

Using an Arizona law to break the lease agreement (the Glendale general counsel got hired by the Dogs right after the lease deal...breaking the law), the city has guaranteed a long legal wrangle.

This pigheadedness by Buttman, to keep this failed franchise in the stinking desert, is beyond an embarrassing joke...this club needs to be in Hamilton, Quebec City, or the US Pacific NW.

[sureLoss]

As expected:

Rick Westhead @rwesthead
Glendale vice mayor Ian Hugh: Coyotes to file injunction and for temporary restraining order against city of Glendale

[Street Pharmacist]

The city never was within a thousand feet of the team

[Locke]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

As expected:

Rick Westhead @rwesthead
Glendale vice mayor Ian Hugh: Coyotes to file injunction and for temporary restraining order against city of Glendale

Oh yeah, this will end well.

[Burke Salad]

This will probably go on for a year lawsuit vs. lawsuit, just in time for Las Vegas to be ready. I also think a city like Houston could be a darkhorse in this.

[troutman]

What is the end game for IA? If it was to re-locate or sell the franchise for a profit, the door is wide open now.

Could a move downtown save the franchise in Phoenix? Would Phoenix or Scottsdale subsidize the team for $15 M per year?

Glendale thinks they can void the agreement because former COG employees later acted for IA in a conflict of interest. Can they also argue that IA grossly exaggerated hockey revenue projections (but shame on COG for believing those projections)?

What can IA gain in a $200 M lawsuit? Does COG have any assets to pay damages? Are they close to bankruptcy?

Somehow I see the team remaining in Phoenix - it seems to be a big priority for Bettman and the NHL.

Perhaps FLA is the real target for QUE, like ATL was the actual target for WIN.

[Locke]

Is $200M unreasonable though? They're getting a payment from the City for the next 15 years, how much is the annual payment, I thought it was in the $20M range but there were some other variables.

How many years are left on that deal?

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by troutman

What is the end game for IA? If it was to re-locate or sell the franchise for a profit, the door is wide open now.

Could a move downtown save the franchise in Phoenix? Would Phoenix or Scottsdale subsidize the team for $15 M per year?

Glendale thinks they can void the agreement because former COG employees later acted for IA in a conflict of interest. Can they also argue that IA grossly exaggerated hockey revenue projections (but shame on COG for believing those projections)?

What can IA gain in a $200 M lawsuit? Does COG have any assets to pay damages? Are they close to bankruptcy?

Somehow I see the team remaining in Phoenix - it seems to be a big priority for Bettman and the NHL.

Perhaps FLA is the real target for QUE, like ATL was the actual target for WIN.

My guess is that they try to save the franchise by going downtown. If it still doesn't work out, they should definitely be relocating.

And I also agree on the fact that if there is a team that needs to be moved first, it's the Florida Panthers.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

And if you read elsewhere, you would find that an overwhelming majority of Coyotes fans to comment are fully on the side of the team.

So what would that be? Something like 260 out of 300 Coyote fans are on the side of the team I am guessing as that is about the size of their fan base. Pretty much nobody cares about hockey there, they need to be moved. They certainly won't draw next year either as they should be the worst team in the NHL with that roster.

[Jordan!]

This can either be the disastrous blow to the Coyotes in AZ or it could very well be the best thing to ever happen to the team.

I have no idea what Glendale is thinking here, they are going to lose this case.. with no plan B at all AND get hit with a $200 million damages claim.

Talking Stick Resort Arena will be a stop-gap for 2-3 years while a new arena is planned and finalized between the Suns/Coyotes/City of Phoenix. I've recently started working downtown Phoenix and it's gotten pretty awesome and i'm sure the city would love another 41+ dates in the future. Glendale just may pay the Coyotes share to build a new downtown Phoenix arena if they win a sizable amount of $$$ in their damages claim suit.

Or they team will be elsewhere.

Glendale will not be the home of the Coyotes, that's for sure.

Unless the CoG reverses their action, the Hammer drops today against Glendale.

[puffnstuff]

I think they should move to Portland

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Locke

Is $200M unreasonable though? They're getting a payment from the City for the next 15 years, how much is the annual payment, I thought it was in the $20M range but there were some other variables.

How many years are left on that deal?

15 year deal that paid $15 million per year. They just finished year two.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by troutman

What is the end game for IA? If it was to re-locate or sell the franchise for a profit, the door is wide open now.

Could a move downtown save the franchise in Phoenix? Would Phoenix or Scottsdale subsidize the team for $15 M per year?

Glendale thinks they can void the agreement because former COG employees later acted for IA in a conflict of interest. Can they also argue that IA grossly exaggerated hockey revenue projections (but shame on COG for believing those projections)?

What can IA gain in a $200 M lawsuit? Does COG have any assets to pay damages? Are they close to bankruptcy?

Somehow I see the team remaining in Phoenix - it seems to be a big priority for Bettman and the NHL.

Perhaps FLA is the real target for QUE, like ATL was the actual target for WIN.

This is why the whole situation seems laughable as it's been thought that the Coyotes are looking for a way out of the lease and now that it's been handed to them, they're suing for $200M to stay. It looks like greed to me or maybe the C of G has upset their timing in some way.

Yeah, if I was Que, I'd be targeting Florida but in Bettman's world I'm afraid Que is just another place to keep other cities in line and paying up.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

I don't feel like looking it up but I'm curious to the largest settlement awarded/bargained for when it comes to a city being sued. $200m sounds like enough to drive a place like Glendale into bankruptcy. Maybe that is their plan to wipe the slate clean...

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

15 year deal that paid $15 million per year. They just finished year two.

They don't pay the full $15M though as the Coyotes paid the city about $6.5M.

The city was then to receive a portion of the revenue generated from the arena's operation. The Coyotes paid the city about $6.5 million last season, meaning the city's net loss on the arena was about $8.5 million.