City terminates team’s lease, prefers to “focus on larger, more impactful events and uses of the city-owned arena.”
Gila River Arena (photo, Arizona Sports)
The Gila River Arena won’t be home to the Arizona Coyotes after the 2021-22 season. That decision leaves the Coyotes without a home for the 2022-23 season, which means the franchise is at a crossroads–something it has faced multiple times during its short history.
Originally founded as the Winnipeg Jets in 1971, the club moved to Phoenix on July 1, 1996, renamed the Phoenix Coyotes. When then-owner Jerry Moyes declared bankruptcy in 2009, the NHL took over team operations. But the move didn’t rectify things. In response to financial instability and lack of team success, the club was rebranded in 2014 as the Arizona Coyotes.
While one conclusion is to admit that hockey in Arizona just isn’t working, Coyotes’ management isn’t ready to throw in the towel … at least not yet. The team expressed disappointment in Glendale’s decision to terminate the lease and then clarified what it intends to do next.
Coyotes President/CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez: The Coyotes are one hundred percent committed to finding a long-term arena solution here in Arizona.
But delivering on that intent is likely to be more easily said than done. Another pathway–moving the franchise–may be the prudent option. Quebec City loves the sport and wants NHL hockey, and locals have been clamoring for a franchise.
Will it happen? It’s anybody’s guess at this point. But one thing is for sure. With keen competition across pro sports for sports fans’ interest and support, no league can afford a weak franchise.
