I am a full STH and received the letter. I will probably write a short email to Mr. Murphy. It will be why haven't the Coyotes paid their bills when they have a billionaire owner?
Thank for the real answers and analysis I’ve been wanting on this. As a Coyotes fan that just moved to Tucson, playing a game or two here would be awesome! Highly recommend it, haha.
I agree Craig that the Coyotes are in a pickle as to where to play locally. I feel for all the loyal ardent fans who in the end may lose their beloved team. I wrote about this from a fan’s perspective and hope someone steps up to fix the unfortunate situation. This team at times seems to be cursed. When we got new ownership most everyone thought the drama had subsided. Little did we know that instead it has escalated. Here’s my assessment:
I think GRA is the only option on the list. I don’t buy any of the others. I think they’ll either play their first home game of 2022-2023 in GRA or in some new hometown outside of Arizona.
Whatever amount of money it would cost the Coyotes to move to the Vet, they’ll just decide to pay some amount less than that to COG to stay in GRA.
This is all assuming the Tempe location actually pans out. If not, they may as well just skip town altogether.
I’m pretty sure COG is just posturing for a better deal. And I’m sure XG is doing the same thing when he suggests interim locations other than GRA.
I think the only real news/impact of the COG/XG statements is that the Tempe deal is now the last hope of a an NHL future in Arizona. The clock has run out for the Coyotes, but only for venue shopping for a long term home. They no longer have the luxury of waiting several more years in case Tempe falls through.
If they get Tempe on track, they’ll work out a deal GRA deal with COG. I’m pretty sure of that, at least.
For my 2 cents; go to the Vet and spruce it up, a la the Isles, until a good pemantent location can be secured. Great location for the entire fan base; accessible by mass transit and lots of parking. I watched many hockey games there back in the 70's and 80's and the sightlines are great. Gotta believe that ownership could negotiate get a great deal on a 3-5 year lease. Otherwise I see the Yotes relocating to Houston, Quebec City or parts unknown. Craig, keep up the good work and keep us updated.
Watching the Islanders in playoffs last season at Nassau was fantastic. Too bad our team won’t be generating any excitement on the ice this year to replicate that type of environment.
If they end up at the vet, I'd love to see Robbie Ftorek dropping the first puck in a vintage Roadrunner sweater. The team could really have a lot of fun with this situation as long as it's short term.
Thanks for the breakdown of possibilities. I like the idea of doing the minimum to the coliseum to get us past the new arena build. Of the Coyotes invest in the coliseum they would ideally have a say in what goes on there. I see it as a huge PR opportunity to "grow the game" and the "hockey is for everyone" marketing. Obviously, they could use it for The Coyotes but with the push toward marketing to Hispanics, this is ideal as it's in their neighborhood and connects by light rail to make traffic lighter. It would bring jobs or at least cash to this neighborhood as people rent out their yards for parking, sell tamales and paletas in the push carts on the street and the back up of people pulling into parking as they do during the State fair. The Coyotes could hold hockey clinics in the off season as the Original Roadrunners did, sponsor a rival girls league to the Kachina's for this side of the valley or hold high school or junior level tournaments or even have a new "Beauty league" or "Frozen Four" for none Division 1 schools so as not to directly compete with ASU. This would go much further than the decks around town and they might even be able to work out learn to skate programs with schools they've introduced hockey to. Murello definitely wants to grow interest in hockey given that he can offer betting. I for one would love to return to the Coliseum for games, even during the rebuild to "juntar con mi gente" (get together with my people) I drive from Chandler to Tucson for at home Roadrunner games for that very vibe.
A new practice arena in Tucson is in the works? Hell yeah, the Roadrunners got me into hockey so the more effort the Coyotes put into the Roadrunners and Tucson the more excited I'll be.
I have been thinking about this all day and I’ve wondered - who else will bid of the Tempe RFP? Will the Rising put in a bid? I know they just moved to the reservation but a major league soccer venue in Tempe would be eye catching to the MLS. The gambling license thing gifted to Meruelo would go to them if they reached the top tier of American soccer.
Could the Diamondbacks put in a proposal? Kendrick seems like a guy who is aiming for a handout of public money but I’m not sure there is one in the cards from Tempe (I think there might be a bigger payout from the Salt River tribe).
Or how about this - the Diamondbacks could vacate Chase Field in 2022 if they build a new arena in Maricopa County (like say on the Salt River Reservation). With no other obvious tenant in sight, Maricopa County might be willing to split the cost to renovate and reconfigure the inside of Chase to a unique open roof hockey facility, perhaps giving back some of the excess space to a hotel or condos or something.
The Vet is probably the only option, especially as the team tries to build a new facility in Tempe. If that falls through… I’d expect to see one of the Tribes to find a way to build an arena (quickly) since it could avoid many of the pitfalls they’d experience in Tempe. PLUS it would put the Tribes an entry into the big entertainment booking the Mohegan Sun offers In Connecticut. I’m sure we will know something relatively soon.
The Sarver speculation on Tempe worries me...do you know why the RFP was extended to Sept.? I sure hope the city isn't doing anything shady, unless maybe Coyotes were the only bid received and wanted to try and garner more interest...makes me very uneasy
I feel the most likely chances are the Vet or staying in Glendale. Its really hard to figure out how serious Glendale is. I almost feel they HAVE to stick to their guns this time. If they dont it honestly will be egg face that all they do is flex their little muscle.
I almost bought a house near Vets a few years ago, its an up and coming area ... but really they need some spot, in a good location preferably along the light rail
Sarver putting in a proposal on the Tempe property is maximum chaos. I can’t do the political math on the potential repercussions.
Do you see a scenario where the Coyotes and players base themselves in Scottsdale around their practice facility, and split their schedule at the various smaller rinks you mentioned? Playing full time at ASU or Tucson isn’t viable, but scheduling a percentage of a 41 game home schedule could work - perhaps with a few “home” games in markets without a team (Mexico City, anyone?).
I am a full STH and received the letter. I will probably write a short email to Mr. Murphy. It will be why haven't the Coyotes paid their bills when they have a billionaire owner?
That bugs me.
Renovate the vet!
Thank for the real answers and analysis I’ve been wanting on this. As a Coyotes fan that just moved to Tucson, playing a game or two here would be awesome! Highly recommend it, haha.
I agree Craig that the Coyotes are in a pickle as to where to play locally. I feel for all the loyal ardent fans who in the end may lose their beloved team. I wrote about this from a fan’s perspective and hope someone steps up to fix the unfortunate situation. This team at times seems to be cursed. When we got new ownership most everyone thought the drama had subsided. Little did we know that instead it has escalated. Here’s my assessment:
https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/2021/08/22/arizona-coyotes-arena-ultimatum-fan-support/
You're spot on with the coliseum. The nostalgia that place brings would be great for a year or two...
I think GRA is the only option on the list. I don’t buy any of the others. I think they’ll either play their first home game of 2022-2023 in GRA or in some new hometown outside of Arizona.
Whatever amount of money it would cost the Coyotes to move to the Vet, they’ll just decide to pay some amount less than that to COG to stay in GRA.
This is all assuming the Tempe location actually pans out. If not, they may as well just skip town altogether.
I’m pretty sure COG is just posturing for a better deal. And I’m sure XG is doing the same thing when he suggests interim locations other than GRA.
I think the only real news/impact of the COG/XG statements is that the Tempe deal is now the last hope of a an NHL future in Arizona. The clock has run out for the Coyotes, but only for venue shopping for a long term home. They no longer have the luxury of waiting several more years in case Tempe falls through.
If they get Tempe on track, they’ll work out a deal GRA deal with COG. I’m pretty sure of that, at least.
For my 2 cents; go to the Vet and spruce it up, a la the Isles, until a good pemantent location can be secured. Great location for the entire fan base; accessible by mass transit and lots of parking. I watched many hockey games there back in the 70's and 80's and the sightlines are great. Gotta believe that ownership could negotiate get a great deal on a 3-5 year lease. Otherwise I see the Yotes relocating to Houston, Quebec City or parts unknown. Craig, keep up the good work and keep us updated.
Madhouse on Macdowell?? That sounds incredible!
Watching the Islanders in playoffs last season at Nassau was fantastic. Too bad our team won’t be generating any excitement on the ice this year to replicate that type of environment.
If they end up at the vet, I'd love to see Robbie Ftorek dropping the first puck in a vintage Roadrunner sweater. The team could really have a lot of fun with this situation as long as it's short term.
Thanks for the breakdown of possibilities. I like the idea of doing the minimum to the coliseum to get us past the new arena build. Of the Coyotes invest in the coliseum they would ideally have a say in what goes on there. I see it as a huge PR opportunity to "grow the game" and the "hockey is for everyone" marketing. Obviously, they could use it for The Coyotes but with the push toward marketing to Hispanics, this is ideal as it's in their neighborhood and connects by light rail to make traffic lighter. It would bring jobs or at least cash to this neighborhood as people rent out their yards for parking, sell tamales and paletas in the push carts on the street and the back up of people pulling into parking as they do during the State fair. The Coyotes could hold hockey clinics in the off season as the Original Roadrunners did, sponsor a rival girls league to the Kachina's for this side of the valley or hold high school or junior level tournaments or even have a new "Beauty league" or "Frozen Four" for none Division 1 schools so as not to directly compete with ASU. This would go much further than the decks around town and they might even be able to work out learn to skate programs with schools they've introduced hockey to. Murello definitely wants to grow interest in hockey given that he can offer betting. I for one would love to return to the Coliseum for games, even during the rebuild to "juntar con mi gente" (get together with my people) I drive from Chandler to Tucson for at home Roadrunner games for that very vibe.
A new practice arena in Tucson is in the works? Hell yeah, the Roadrunners got me into hockey so the more effort the Coyotes put into the Roadrunners and Tucson the more excited I'll be.
I have been thinking about this all day and I’ve wondered - who else will bid of the Tempe RFP? Will the Rising put in a bid? I know they just moved to the reservation but a major league soccer venue in Tempe would be eye catching to the MLS. The gambling license thing gifted to Meruelo would go to them if they reached the top tier of American soccer.
Could the Diamondbacks put in a proposal? Kendrick seems like a guy who is aiming for a handout of public money but I’m not sure there is one in the cards from Tempe (I think there might be a bigger payout from the Salt River tribe).
Or how about this - the Diamondbacks could vacate Chase Field in 2022 if they build a new arena in Maricopa County (like say on the Salt River Reservation). With no other obvious tenant in sight, Maricopa County might be willing to split the cost to renovate and reconfigure the inside of Chase to a unique open roof hockey facility, perhaps giving back some of the excess space to a hotel or condos or something.
The Vet is probably the only option, especially as the team tries to build a new facility in Tempe. If that falls through… I’d expect to see one of the Tribes to find a way to build an arena (quickly) since it could avoid many of the pitfalls they’d experience in Tempe. PLUS it would put the Tribes an entry into the big entertainment booking the Mohegan Sun offers In Connecticut. I’m sure we will know something relatively soon.
The Sarver speculation on Tempe worries me...do you know why the RFP was extended to Sept.? I sure hope the city isn't doing anything shady, unless maybe Coyotes were the only bid received and wanted to try and garner more interest...makes me very uneasy
I feel the most likely chances are the Vet or staying in Glendale. Its really hard to figure out how serious Glendale is. I almost feel they HAVE to stick to their guns this time. If they dont it honestly will be egg face that all they do is flex their little muscle.
I almost bought a house near Vets a few years ago, its an up and coming area ... but really they need some spot, in a good location preferably along the light rail
Sarver putting in a proposal on the Tempe property is maximum chaos. I can’t do the political math on the potential repercussions.
Do you see a scenario where the Coyotes and players base themselves in Scottsdale around their practice facility, and split their schedule at the various smaller rinks you mentioned? Playing full time at ASU or Tucson isn’t viable, but scheduling a percentage of a 41 game home schedule could work - perhaps with a few “home” games in markets without a team (Mexico City, anyone?).