The Coyotes’ upcoming move to a 5,000-seat arena at Arizona State University is decried by many observers.
This is particularly the case of TVA Sports analyst Alexandre Picard, who described the situation as “completely ridiculous” during the first intermission of the game between the Maple Leafs and the Canucks broadcast on our airwaves on Saturday evening.
This decision approved by the Bettman circuit earlier this week damages the image of the NHL, according to the former defenseman.
“There are larger capacity arenas here in the country. The university will even have the rights to the name of the amphitheater, the income related to the sponsors displayed in the arena and a part of the income from the concessions. The Coyotes won’t make any money from this. They will even pay $20 million to make the arena legal for the NHL, he pointed out.
“What image does it project? No other major sports league across North America (NFL, NBA, MLB) would accept that.”
“A university that comes to help out a National Hockey League team, what is the advantage of the league seeing that?” Asked host Michel Godbout.
Ex-goalkeeper Mathieu Chouinard, now an analyst at TVA Sports, was also bowled over by the announcement.
“What throws me off is that Gary Bettman even joked that the Coyotes don’t get more than 5,000 people a game anyway. But that doesn’t mean the team has to move to a 4,000-5,000 seat arena,” he said. Watch that segment in the video above.
What next?
Thursday, the Coyotes confirmed that they will play for at least three seasons at Arizona State University. They will play their home games there at least over the next three campaigns. The contract also includes an option for the 2025-2026 season.
“The National Hockey League thanks Arizona State University (ASU) for supporting the Coyotes during this transition period and for their dedication to growing our game in the region,” the NHL commissioner said. Hockey is booming in Tempe, and we’re thrilled that passionate Coyotes fans can experience the energy of ASU on campus as the club’s new arena is built.”
Already, during the All-Star game break, Bettman had shown his support for the Coyotes, although nothing is yet official about the plan to build new facilities in Tempe, a suburb of Phoenix. No question for the commissioner to think of a short-term move.
Photo credit: SCREEN CAPTURE / TVA SPORTS / QMI AGENCY
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“Hockey is doing well at all levels in Arizona, especially since the Coyotes are here. Ask Auston Matthews,” Bettman sent, referring to the Toronto Maple Leafs star, who grew up in that state.
“It’s something that needs to be done in the near future. It won’t be in two weeks, but it won’t be in two years either, Bettman agreed of the developments surrounding an upcoming build. If there is no hope for a new amphitheater, we will have to talk to the owners to determine a sequel that makes sense.
Temporary solution
Recall that the agreement currently binding the City of Glendale and the Coyotes for the occupation of the Gila River Arena must end on June 30 after the team refused a 20-year extension.
“The City of Glendale, no matter what they say now, has asked the Coyotes to sign a 20-year lease or walk away. The Coyotes correctly concluded that it wouldn’t work long term in Glendale. Relations with the City are no longer very good,” noted Bettman on the sidelines of the recent Star Weekend held in Las Vegas.
In the Coyotes camp, the president and CEO of the Coyotes, Xavier A. Gutierrez, was satisfied with the agreement between the team and Arizona State University.
“We’re excited to host our home games at Arizona State University starting next season,” Gutierrez said Thursday, touting the intimate experience Coyotes fans will have.
ASU provides the team with “a temporary solution as we continue our efforts to secure the long-term future of the Coyotes in the region,” the president added.
The Arizona team also let it be known that the club is currently negotiating with the Ice Den center in Scottsdale to make the place the club’s training complex for the next few years. According to the agreement with Arizona State University, the Coyotes organization will naturally be asked to defray certain costs related to the upcoming renovations. A similar clause would be needed for the temporary training complex.
Photo credit: SCREEN CAPTURE / TVA SPORTS / QMI AGENCY
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