What Next For Arizona Coyotes?
Once more we turn to an old and predictable tale- the future of the Arizona Coyotes. A fatal blow was struck yesterday when the Glendale, Arizona council elected to terminate the Coyotes arena lease! After being purchased by Ice Arizona LLC in July 2013, things look to have finally been sorted. A 15 year agreement had been finalize, but now after only two seasons, it has been terminated. Now once more, the teams future will hang in the balance.
Last season, despite high hopes of an improvement, the fans once more stayed away. The average attendance at the Gila River Arena was a mere 13,345 and was the 28th lowest in the league. Only the Carolina and Florida were more sparsely attended. For years now, desert hockey has been on the downswing and as many people have been predicting, the franchise may now be departing for newer pastures.
The reaction in Arizona has been one of immense frustration and anger and co-owner Anthony LeBlanc sees this treatment as unfair. He was quoted as saying "We will exhaust any and all legal remedies against the city of Glendale for this blatant violation of its contractual obligations to us." It is unfair that this side and their fans have to suffer through this set of circumstances. However, the Coyotes team is one that just isn't generating revenue, and if a business isn't profitable for the city then there are always going to be second thoughts.
On the judgement side, the council ruled 5-2 in favour of the lease being terminated. This shows that sadly, Glendale isn't willing to keep a franchise here if the fans are going to stay away. Please understand, I have never had any desire to see the Coyotes fail, but this is an experiment that has been on the slide for years now. Unless some miracle the council over turns the decision, it looks like the Coyotes will be beginning next year without a home.
The next destination will be one of intense debate, but with Gary Bettmann keen on a Las Vegas franchise- it could turn into something far worse!
Last season, despite high hopes of an improvement, the fans once more stayed away. The average attendance at the Gila River Arena was a mere 13,345 and was the 28th lowest in the league. Only the Carolina and Florida were more sparsely attended. For years now, desert hockey has been on the downswing and as many people have been predicting, the franchise may now be departing for newer pastures.
The reaction in Arizona has been one of immense frustration and anger and co-owner Anthony LeBlanc sees this treatment as unfair. He was quoted as saying "We will exhaust any and all legal remedies against the city of Glendale for this blatant violation of its contractual obligations to us." It is unfair that this side and their fans have to suffer through this set of circumstances. However, the Coyotes team is one that just isn't generating revenue, and if a business isn't profitable for the city then there are always going to be second thoughts.
On the judgement side, the council ruled 5-2 in favour of the lease being terminated. This shows that sadly, Glendale isn't willing to keep a franchise here if the fans are going to stay away. Please understand, I have never had any desire to see the Coyotes fail, but this is an experiment that has been on the slide for years now. Unless some miracle the council over turns the decision, it looks like the Coyotes will be beginning next year without a home.
The next destination will be one of intense debate, but with Gary Bettmann keen on a Las Vegas franchise- it could turn into something far worse!
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