Arizona Coyotes arena rumours have swirled the team for what seems like forever. Things could be slowly coming to an end, but the long-awaited vote ended with a no. This has been a campaign that Coyotes President Xavier A. Gutierrez has led throughout the past challenging months. Additionally, the proposed arena would’ve provided the city of Tempe with not only a new home for the Coyotes but much more. Including over 6,000 jobs created, restaurants, hotels, and a revolutionizing the city of Tempe.
After all, what happens next? What will become of the Arizona Coyotes?
Arizona Coyotes Arena Vote Ends in No
Statements From All Parties
For all Coyotes fans, this is just absolutely heartbreaking and devastating, to be quite frank. This had the potential to be the deal that ended all the rumours and all the theories. As it turns out, it’s just the beginning of many more.
“We are very disappointed that Tempe voters did not approve propositions 301, 302, and 303. Gutierrez continues “As Tempe mayor Corey Woods said, this was the best arena deal in the history of Arizona.” The final votes came back with 56% voting no, and 44% voting yes. Gutierrez was seen leaving visibly upset.
Following the vote, Commissioner Gary Bettman had the following to say ” The National Hockey League is terribly disappointed by the results of the public referenda regarding the Coyotes’ arena project in Tempe. We are going to review with the Coyotes what options might be going forward.”
What happens next? That’s what every hockey fan will ask for the next several months. At the end of the day, nobody really knows what the future consists of. If this deal had passed, we’d be talking about many different things; unfortunately, that’s not the case. Gary Bettman has been a big advocate for keeping the Coyotes in Arizona and trying to build an arena that’ll keep them in the desert permanently.
In addition, he went as far as saying that Arizona would get an NHL Draft and NHL All-Star Game and that the team would be held to a 30-year, no-relocation term. Instead, we sit here discussing whether this team will still be in Arizona within the next two or three years. Nonetheless, the only people making the decisions are Gary Bettman, the National Hockey League, and the Arizona Coyotes.
Rather than fans making assumptions regarding the Coyote’s fate.
Is Relocation a Possibility? What about Mullett Arena?
Since everything is in play right now, relocation is 100% a possibility right now. As well as everything else. Could we potentially see a world where new Suns Matt Ibisha buys the Coyotes, and they then play at Footprint Center?
That might be quite the stretch, but at this point, nothing is out of the question. The more likely and popular answers will be relocating to cities such as Houston, Atlanta, and even Salt Lake City. Other dark horses could even consist of Kansas City and Quebec City.
Another factor that will come into play is the Coyote’s current temporary arena, Mullett Arena. They are signed to play at the Arizona States facility for the next two seasons, with an option to play another. Now, will they even finish the said contract in Arizona? As mentioned, still, nobody knows.
As we now know the verdict, the future of the Coyote’s hands lies in the League’s hands. Whether they choose to keep the team in Arizona or if they find a better market.
There are still many more questions to be answered; keep tabs for more articles in the coming weeks.
Main Photo: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
