MANALAPAN, Fla. – The Arizona Coyotes’ future in the Phoenix market is certain, and their goal is to continue working towards building a new arena in the city of Tempe, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said on Friday. .
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“There is no problem with the Arizona Coyotes,” said the commissioner following the conclusion of the meeting of the Board of Governors of the NHL in Water Palm Beach.
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The commissioner was reacting to recent reports claiming the Coyotes owed the City of Glendale, where they currently play, $ 1.3 million in taxes and bills at the Gila River Arena.
He said all of the Coyotes’ debts had since been paid and the situation had been created by “miscommunication”.
Glendale City have told the Coyotes that they will not be extending the team’s lease for the next season and beyond, which could mean the team will not have a home next season.
“It’s clear the Town of Glendale has an agenda or a grudge in the way they treat the Coyotes,” Bettman said. I know that [le propriétaire des Coyotes] Alex Meruelo is dedicated to keeping the team in Arizona and working on a plan for a new arena, which does not suit the City of Glendale.
“The new arena would be located in a place that everyone would find much more accessible and that it would improve the status of the club in the short and long term. It will take a few years to build it, and the fact that the City of Glendale does not want the club to remain in their amphitheater on an interim basis says a lot about how they are handling this situation. We are able to cope with this situation.
“Alex wants this to work. Alex has the resources, and the Coyotes won’t be moving. Or rather, they’re going to move somewhere other than Glendale, but they won’t be leaving the great Phoenix. “
The Coyotes have submitted a request for proposal to the City of Tempe to build a new arena and entertainment district spanning 46 acres. The plan, if approved, would allow the arena to be completed for the 2025-26 season.
The Coyotes are simultaneously working on short-term solutions to evolve in an already existing arena in the Phoenix area.
“My advice has been to focus on planning for the future arena, and we have several options on an interim basis,” said the commissioner. I don’t want to list them right now, since it could lead to speculation. We will take care of the file. I’m not worried. We have options that will work. “
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