Ongoing Arizona Coyotes arena saga: Arena land auction June 27

[Reggie Dunlop]

An existing team would have a prospects base, an active AHL affiliate, a protected players list, and years worth of scouting intel. Building that from scratch is a big task. Out of the gate, Seattle and Vegas had about 30 players and some picks.

Ryan Smith has the money burning a hole in his pocket right now, and eager to take a headache off the league's hands.

[Gugstanley]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Bees? Like a “B” Team? Bad optics. “Swarm” is more menacing, but keeps within the theme.

How about “Utah Murder Hornets?”

Salt Lake Bees are the AAA baseball team. Name is taken

[Reggie Dunlop]

Popular social media suggestions to Smith seem to be "Blizzard" and "Yeti," but I can't see that given current Colorado Avalanche branding.

[dissentowner]

The SLC Punks. I love that movie.

[FlamesAddiction]

Play on the Utah UFO thing.

Utah Aliens
Utah Greys
Utah Skinwalkers

[thefoss1957]

Coyotes would still be appropriate for a Utah team...We've got a lot of them. I live 180 miles E of SLC, so having an NHL team within a 150 minute drive would be cool. As to why SLC would want the Dogs, there are thriving tech industries in Utah, and a growing appetite for top level professional teams. The Jazz and their ownership are spearheading one group lobbying for hockey, there is another moneyed group that are also lobbying for an NHL team, there is also some underused venues, including the Delta Center (14000 seats) and the Maverick Center (13,000 seats), which was used for Olympic hockey. So, there would be temporary digs while a larger hockey venue could be developed. Currently, in SLC, there is The Jazz (NBA), Real Salt Lake (MLS), the Royals (NWSL), The Warriors (Major League Rugby), and the Archers (Premier Lacrosse League) as top level North American league teams. The AAA Bees (Angels PCL affiliate) for Baseball, and the ECHL Grizzlies (Av's affiliate) as the largest minor league draws. Only the Jazz and the Grizz would be competing for sports dollars in winter, and, don't forget, SLC's sports reach would cover Idaho, Wyoming, and Western Colorado markets.

The other reason that getting a relocated Coyotes, would be the cheaper relocation fee paid, rather than the larger expansion fee.

The mayor of Scottsdale recently spurned any cooperation with the proposed development across the street to the West of Scottsdale, and with access to Scottsdale water and sewers denied, even winning the land auction would not guarantee a feasible sports complex down in the Phoenix metro area.

So, time is running out on the Dogs hopes to stay in Arizona, and a move up I-15 would seem to be the easiest solution to stabilize ownership and franchise.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Very good chance that the Coyotes name is retained, but I'm not sure the Kachina design elements would translate well in a new locale.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Play on the Utah UFO thing.

Utah Aliens
Utah Greys
Utah Skinwalkers

Utah Probers

[sureLoss]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1778065322525819321

[Toonage]

In all seriousness (or as much as this deserves), I would just use the name Coyotes, remove any reference to AZ on patches or logos and call it a day.

[Ashasx]

dog it's over

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I have thought so in the past but what will be the catalyst?

Pro sports team are still rare. The growth in availability of these franchises is much slower than the growth in number of billionaires.

Meanwhile taxpayers are still more than happy to help out most of these teams.

I doubt we see a major correction unless there is some other dramatic economic event.

I think they're going the path of golf. Super popular, then capitalizing on that by cranking prices, and before you know it kids and young families are priced right out and you've destroyed your future market.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

https://twitter.com/user/status/1778065322525819321

The schedule that has them still in Arizona is just for show.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

https://twitter.com/user/status/1778065322525819321

One nice thing with this is, for most of the league, SLC and Phoenix are basically interchangeable for travel. A road trip where you play Colorado-Coyotes-Vegas in a three game block has basically the same amount of travel whether the Coyotes are in Utah or Arizona.

It's not an Atlanta-Winnipeg situation where the travel requirements would be vastly different depending on where the team is located.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by getbak

One nice thing with this is, for most of the league, SLC and Phoenix are basically interchangeable for travel. A road trip where you play Colorado-Coyotes-Vegas in a three game block has basically the same amount of travel whether the Coyotes are in Utah or Arizona.

It's not an Atlanta-Winnipeg situation where the travel requirements would be vastly different depending on where the team is located.

Still, the arena availability could be different. Even one date not available in SLC could screw up the whole schedule.

[Strange Brew]

The Seravalli article throws cold water on the notion that this will be a cheaper option for Smith in SLC. He will still be paying the rack rate for a new franchise.

It's also why it makes sense for Meruelo to continue to advertise his "commitment" to building an arena. He needs to be seen as having options.

[Muta]

NHL players all over panicking at the thought of having one less sunny/warm location to play in.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I think the brand is dead. I don't think you move the team and call them the Coyotes. That's a tarnished brand right now, and I think you go with a fresh start.


Eventually Arizona will get another team down the road, and you stay away from the Coyotes brand that seems rather toxic there with nobody wanting anything to do with it.

[Royle9]

I don't think any NHL players are going to be upset they cant play in a college dorm room arena moving forward.

They can vacation warm and sunny any time they want, or ask for a trade to Florida like the rest of the boys.

[Baaarrden]

Where will Matthews sign now after his current contract is up?