Arizona Coyotes New Arena Approaches Fateful Vote

Arizona Coyotes Fateful Vote is May 16th

If things go well on the three Tempe propositions 301,302, and 303, the Arizona Coyotes will be MOVING… to a new Tempe arena! While many naysayers have other wishes, it is a hope that the team will have a new home. The Arizona Coyotes new arena, will have many surrounding amenities to provide entertainment and bring future jobs to the area. The key here is that will be done with private financing and not taxpayer funds.

It hasn’t been easy, with the City of Phoenix suing Tempe over the project after approving it. It couldn’t be because this new arena and entertainment district will compete heavily with Phoenix’s Footprint Center, the home of the Phoenix Suns and Mercury… could it? While the attorneys figure it out, if the propositions pass, it won’t delay the shovels going in the ground. The new 16,000-seat hockey arena will go forward with construction.

Let’s just say, if that happens, it’s been a long, arduous journey for this hockey franchise. Stricken with numerous relocation rumors, owners filing bankruptcies, poor attendance, and bad location decisions, it’s been an uphill fight to survive. But, you know what? Like the never-give-up attitude the Arizona Coyotes players display on the ice adversity builds character. This team and organization will NOT go down without a fight. And with a state-of-the-art facility to entertain their fans, why should they?

We’re moving forward with the City of Tempe on our proposed arena development project.

Take a look at what we hope to build. pic.twitter.com/7sSZBujGuA

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) June 3, 2022

The Naysayers Are Alive and Spreading Disinformation

The thing which must infuriate most Arizona Coyotes fans is the disinformation that is spread like wildfire in the press and social media. So-called hockey insiders, you know the people this writer relies upon to pass along valid information aren’t here and don’t have a clue what is going on. That is of course except for the Coyotes insider, Craig Morgan. But others can’t wait to pass along click-bait information that this team will be MOVED if the Tempe vote fails. Here is Frank Seravalli of dailyfaceoff.com commenting on the Sportsnet 960 show on how he thinks things will go down if the vote fails.

The full clip, for anyone interested #Yotes https://t.co/xxqMBmLYjT pic.twitter.com/Qzj1vrSKC2

— Brandon Holmes (@BHolmes_Hockey) April 27, 2023

As Coyotes fans have heard all this before, it still hurts their image. Of course, as an organization things have gone wrong. But, is there nothing else a hockey insider like Seravalli can talk about except spreading rumors about the Arizona Coyotes new arena vote? So what if front office personnel including owner Alex Meruelo, CEO/President Xavier Gutierrez, and general manager Bill Armstrong are going door-to-door passing leaflets out to Tempe voters? How does that make them desperate? Last time I checked that’s how elections of any kind are won… hard work and determination.

Jumping to the conclusion that if the vote fails, it means the franchise will up and move this summer is flat-out ridiculous! For one, even Craig Morgan has no inside information on prospective alternative sites to build an arena. The fact is Tempe is the prime location and that is why it was chosen. The Glendale location was proven to be a huge mistake. Most of the hockey fan base resides in the East Valley. It is true that the City of Glendale and the Coyotes didn’t get along. They determined the best option was to terminate the lease.

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Mullett Arena to the Rescue

The Arizona Coyotes and Arizona State University decided to allow the NHL team to play their hockey games at Mullett Arena. While it has been ridiculed due to its size (4,600 seats) many NHL players gave it high marks for the quality of the ice surface and the fun atmosphere. But, comments like “it’s a disgrace” for the Coyotes to be playing there is quite frankly disgusting. You won’t hear any Coyotes’ fans putting down the Calgary Flames or Ottawa Senators arenas. The Calgary facility is nearly 40 years old and has seen its better days. What is tough to explain is why fans of other NHL teams care about what is going on here in Arizona. It’s baffling.

The Coyotes will be playing at Mullett for at least two more seasons and has an option for an additional year if needed. The hopes are that the new Tempe arena will be completed in time for the 2026-27 NHL season. While not ideal, the players, and the organization are making due and will survive.

Now IF the Tempe vote fails, and that is a possibility, one can be assured that the ownership and management of the team has a plan ‘B’ to fall back upon. It may not be as attractive as Tempe. But, the ownership of the team has already committed quite a huge amount of money to even consider relocating. It has to be a very last resort. Yet, listening to others who think this franchise should be moved one would think it is the only option. Alex Meruelo is a successful businessman and won’t squander his money.

So, now we wait. The vote results will be announced on Tuesday night, May 16th. The fate of the Arizona Coyotes’ new arena will be known.