Breaking news out of Glendale, as the Glendale City Council held a vote today and came to a 5-2 decision to cancel their 15-year, $225 million lease with IceArizona. They also co-own the Arizona Coyotes, who play in the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona. This now leads to tons of speculation on what will become of the Coyotes franchise.
Story: Glendale City Council votes 5-2 to cancel lease with IceArizona, Coyotes: http://t.co/9WvMrMxxuV pic.twitter.com/ak0MkdoVz9
— ABC15 Sports (@abc15sports) June 11, 2015
According to ABC15 news:
The city council’s vote was based on an Arizona statute that allows an agency to cancel a contract when an employee who was highly involved with the agreement becomes an agent or employee of the contract’s other party.
However, Coyotes co-owner, president and CEO Anthony LeBlanc has expressed his frustration with the decision in an official statement, where he reveals that the Coyotes management will explore any legal options to fight this decision and overturn it.
“We are disappointed with the city’s decision to violate its obligations under the agreement that was entered into and duly approved only two years ago. We will exhaust any and all legal remedies against the city of Glendale for this blatant violation of its contractual obligations to us.”
Those in favor of canceling the lease include Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers, Vice Mayor Ian Hugh and Councilmembers Lauren Tolmachoff, Bart Turner and Jamie Aldama. Councilmembers Gary Sherwood and Sammy Chavira were the two opposing the option.
Weirs stated that this is nothing more than an arena management issue and nothing more. The Arizona Coyotes are in no danger currently of re-locating, so the theories of moving to Quebec City or being the sitting ducks until Las Vegas is good and ready should be trumped.
While the Coyotes will remain in Arizona for the time being, regardless of what happens with the Gila River Arena issues, it hasn’t stopped the fans from voicing their opinions on the matter. One fan accused the council of using legal loopholes to get away with their actions. Another expressed his anger with being jerked around by the council’s actions. Finally, one simply told them they should be ashamed of themselves and that their tax money goes towards paying for things and their votes go towards hiring the people on council, and they should recognize that.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens in the ongoing weeks, as one poster from HFBoards points out:
More details to come as they arrive, and what happens to the Arizona Coyotes and their home games going forward. One thing is for sure, the team is not yet lost, so keep those fingers crossed for Arizona keeping their team. There’s nothing worst for a hockey fan than to watch their NHL team leave for greener pastures.
