Arizona Coyotes ASU Arena Use Has Lots of Challenges

The Arizona Coyotes are negotiating to use ASU’s new multipurpose arena due to open in November of this year. We decided to analyze the entire situation involving an NHL team using a college facility on a temporary basis.

Arizona Coyotes Arena Problems

The Coyotes were literally close to being evicted from the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Back taxes and rent were not being paid. If that isn’t embarrassing enough, the owner of the team seriously thought they would get Glendale to grant them a short-term lease until a new arena project can be approved in Tempe.

Glendale wanted a 20-year lease commitment and the Coyotes had other plans. Like moving closer to their fanbase in the east valley.

That short-term lease idea was brought down when Glendale decided to end its year-to-year lease agreement with the team. So, at the end of the current season, the Coyotes had no place to play. They had considered an alternative plan to use Veterans Memorial Coliseum. That plan went down in flames. The cost (about $40-$50 million) became exorbitant. Then, by the time it was being considered, they would not have had time to renovate the old facility.

While the Coliseum was a great building in its day, it was built in 1965. Replacing the ice plant needed to make ice would have been a major expense. Plus, the building had no luxury suites to sweeten the owner’s pocket. With no other options available, the idea of using the ASU new arena became their only realistic choice.

Arizona Coyotes ASU Arena Use Will be a Challenge

There will be many challenges presented to the Coyotes by playing in a college building. Such things as simple as the logo at center ice will need to be changed depending on which team is playing. The value of ads in a much smaller arena will take its toll on advertising revenue.

Just the thought of the Coyotes attempting to attract free agents to the team may be a huge undertaking. What IF Auston Matthews wants to sign with the team and come home when his contract ends in 2023-24? Consider that he has been playing in the hockey capital of the world in Toronto (19,000 fans). And then he would be attracted to playing in a 5,000 seat (if that) arena? Unless he really misses his mother’s cooking, he more than likely wouldn’t want to play there.

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Other Challenges Exist

Other challenges to consider include the fact that the university will have first rights of use to the building. It will not only be used for the ASU hockey team. Wrestling, concerts, and other student-related activities will get priority over the Coyotes. That will mean if the proposal is adopted at the ASU Board of Regents meeting on February 10th, the Coyotes would not be able to play a game there until December.

What that means is, they would need to start out playing about 12-15 games, depending on the NHL schedule on the road. While not unprecedented, it would be a LONG road trip for the team.

The reason for the delay until December is that the Coyotes will need to build a 15,000-square-foot practice facility since NCAA rules do not permit them to use ASU facilities to practice. This annex will accommodate NHL-quality home and away team dressing rooms, training areas, equipment rooms, nutrition stations, coaches’ workroom, team storage and a fitness room.

The price tag may come in at about $19.7 million, all coming out of Coyotes’ owner Alex Meruelo’s pocket. It’s a win-win for ASU, since they will have use of the facility after (or should we say IF) the Coyotes move into their new digs in Tempe in three to four years.

It Seems the NHL is Fine With This

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman stated at his All-Star Game presser that they are fine with the situation the team finds itself in. As long as it is a temporary situation, the NHL can allow it. Here is his statement…. CLICK HERE.

The concerns of financial losses were dismissed by Bettman when he stated that some projections are that the team would do better playing at ASU’s arena than playing at the Gila River Arena. Obviously, he has some information to verify that claim. It has been known that games at Gila River have seen lots of freebie tickets escalating the attendance and covering the true paid attendance.

The Proposed New Coyotes Arena is Yet to be Approved

While the Arizona Coyotes ASU arena usage may be a solution for now, what if the Tempe City Council doesn’t approve their arena project? It would be back to the drawing board for the team in its search for a permanent home. Perhaps the condition that ASU will have the practice facility to use after the Coyotes get their new arena built may influence the vote of the city council.

At the current time, the city council is at a stalemate with two yes votes and two no votes. The remaining two votes are leaning towards rejecting the proposal. To add more spice to the issue, there is a city council election on March 8th where three council seats are up for grabs.

In Conclusion

The Arizona Coyotes have faced many challenges in their 26-year existence in Arizona. Gary Bettman is STILL all-in that this is a good hockey market. His reputation may be on the line here, but he’s adamant that it can work.

For the thousands of hockey fans in Arizona, let’s hope he’s right.