Craig Morgan of gophnx.com is reporting that the Arizona Coyotes interim arena plans for the next three-four years are being negotiated with ASU to use their new multi-purpose arena being built. The arena is scheduled to be completed this fall. The Coyotes need a place to play. Their lease to use Gila River arena in Glendale is ending this June.
With no Place to Play, the Arizona Coyotes Interim Arena Plans May Be Solved
When Gila River arena was no longer an option, the Coyotes were desperately searching for a venue to play NHL hockey games. Coincidentally, ASU is in the process of building a new arena for its hockey program. The facility will include 20 luxury suites, two group suites, a large club lounge and event-level premium club seats. Click HERE to see more on the ASU multipurpose arena.
-
Ep 28: NHL Draft Lottery; Stanley Cup; Islanders Coaching Situationby Full Press Coverage on May 11, 2022 at 1:13 am
Jim Biringer and Chris Wassel discuss the results of the NHL Draft […]
The Coyotes are seeking a three-year deal to play at the ASU arena with a fourth-year option. The plan is that if the Tempe arena the Coyotes have planned is passed, it could be built in that three-to-four year time. This would be unprecedented for an NHL team to play in such a small arena. When deputy NHL Commissioner Bill Daly was asked if that would be acceptable, he replied that the league is not opposed to such a plan.
Per a quote from Craig Morgan, Daly stated: “While we have arena standards, we would approach the entire situation in a way intended to accommodate the club’s needs in effectuating a successful transition to a new venue,” Daly wrote in an email. “While there may very well be some, I can’t think of any hard and fast rules that couldn’t be relaxed to accommodate what is necessary.”
Scheduling Could be an Issue
Since ASU would have priority for event dates that would mean that the Coyotes would get what’s left. ASU has 24 home dates next season and all of them are on Friday or Saturday with 7 p.m. starts. The Coyotes would need to work around that schedule with some less than optimal dates.
While other possibilities were pursued, ASU seems to be the best choice. Veterans Memorial Coliseum can hold 10,000 for hockey but the renovations would be costly and time-consuming. Had the team known that Glendale was going to cancel their year-to-year lease they could have proceeded with that plan. The time needed to make the Veterans Memorial Coliseum a viable option just didn’t happen.
Playing at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks was considered, but their calendar is booked for 2022-23. It appears that if Alex Meruelo wants to keep the team in Arizona, they must first get the Tempe City Council to approve their planned arena. That hasn’t happened yet.
Around FPC
NHL:Â NHL Power Rankings: Colorado Avalanche Claim Top Spot NHL:Â NHL Rumors: New York Rangers, Colorado Avalanche, Arizona Coyotes NHL:Â Nathan Bastian Has Found His Role Once Again With the Devils NFL: What Ultimately Went Wrong for Miami? Wrestling:Â NXT Black and Gold Shine In Loss To NXT 2.0 in War Games Match PODCAST: Full Press NHL Podcast Ep 17: Evander Kane; Canada COVID Restrictions; Kraken/Oilers Failures
The Advantages of Playing at ASU Arena
Playing in Tempe would allow the organization to establish a partnership and relationship with the city immediately. Hopefully, the Coyotes could flourish in a central location much closer to the vast majority of their premium season ticket holders. The thing is, how many non-season ticket holders seats will be available to the general public?
Sellouts Should Not be a Problem at This Arizona Coyotes Interim Arena
According to espn.com the Coyotes over the last five years have ranked no higher than 28th in attendance. So, sellouts at such a small venue should not present a problem. Whether that wears out Meruelo’s balance sheet or not, at least there shouldn’t be any unsold seats. Whether the NHLPA will approve of the smaller arena for NHL hockey is yet to be determined. They are aware of the Coyotes arena snafu and will discuss the plans for the team for next season.
Does This Mean the Plans for a Tempe Arena Are Looking Good?
Meruelo must feel pretty confident or else he wouldn’t spend $15-20 million on a practice facility since NCAA rules will not allow the team to use ASU’s. There is a possibility that the Ice Den in Scottsdale can be used with some renovations. It has been used in the past by the team. With Meruelo having other businesses and sources of income, the losses he may incur for a short period of time will be worth it in the end.
Don’t forget he is still going to make some money from sports gambling. So, this may turn out to be feasible for the organization after all.
Still… trying to digest playing in a 5,000 seat arena will take some adjustments. Also, being a guest of an arena where you are not the primary tenant will take some getting used to.
So, once and for all, can the Coyotes relocation rumors cease? Or, will they?
So, Coyotes fans how do you feel about this? Be sure to let us know in the comments.
-
Ep 28: NHL Draft Lottery; Stanley Cup; Islanders Coaching Situationby Full Press Coverage on May 11, 2022 at 1:13 am
Jim Biringer and Chris Wassel discuss the results of the NHL Draft […]
-
Ep 27: Golden Knights Fall Flat; Canucks Stay Aliveby Full Press Coverage on April 20, 2022 at 3:05 am
The Vegas Golden Knights had a chance to close the gap, but fell flat […]
I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
-
Ep 73: Bruins Face Elimination; Bruce Cassidy On Hot Seat; Patrice Bergeron Final Standby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 4:00 pm
Ian and Chris discuss game six between the Bruins and Hurricanes and the […]
-
Ep 72: Bruins Acquire Hampus Lindholm; More Moves To Come?by Full Press Coverage on March 20, 2022 at 3:34 pm
Ian and Chris discuss the trade of Hampus Lindholm to the Bruins and what […]
-
Episode #379 - The 2022 NHL Playoffs - First Roundby Full Press Coverage on May 10, 2022 at 2:02 am
The NHL playoffs are well underway and the series are definitely not going […]
-
Episode #378 - The 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffsby Full Press Coverage on May 3, 2022 at 2:01 am
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are here! Which also means that it's grilling […]
-
Episode #100: 21-22 AHL Awards Showby Full Press Coverage on May 9, 2022 at 12:00 am
On the 100th episode of The Calder Farmstead, C.C. and Sean hand out the […]
-
Episode #99: The Multiverse of Madnessby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 3:33 am
The multiverse of AHL playoff madness is upon us! With two first round […]
-
Episode #100: 21-22 AHL Awards Showby Full Press Coverage on May 9, 2022 at 12:00 am
On the 100th episode of The Calder Farmstead, C.C. and Sean hand out the […]
-
Episode #99: The Multiverse of Madnessby Full Press Coverage on May 6, 2022 at 3:33 am
The multiverse of AHL playoff madness is upon us! With two first round […]
-
Ep 60: #KrejciForever and Raised Expectationsby Full Press Coverage on May 4, 2021 at 9:23 pm
Ian and Chris talk about the Bruins post trade deadline turnaround and […]
-
Ep 59: Bruins Swing Big At Trade Deadlineby Full Press Coverage on April 12, 2021 at 9:48 pm
Ian and Chris welcome in Mike Cratty to discuss the trade acquisitions of […]
-
NFL Schedule Release Reaction (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 14, 2022 at 10:45 am
Ian and John discuss the release of the NFL schedule.
-
Tom Brady's New Broadcasting Deal (5/13)by Full Press Coverage on May 13, 2022 at 9:45 pm
Ian and John react to Tom Brady's post-retirement contract with Fox to […]