NS Arizona Coyotes say they are staying still.
The team vehemently rejected a The Forbes report on Thursday cites an unnamed banking source that Coyotes are sold “with the idea [a] the buyer eventually moved the team to a new arena in Houston. “
Arizona quickly issued a statement in response.
“This is wrong. Totally false,” the statement read. “We don’t sell. We don’t move. Coyotes is 100% committed to playing in Arizona.”
This is the latest in a string of rumors about relocation around the Coyotes, and not the first regarding a possible move to Texas.
Back in 2018, Houston Rockets Owner Tilman Fertitta is said to have met NHL commissioner Gary Bettman for “preliminary talks” about buying the NHL club and moving it to Houston. Fertitta declined to comment and no further information on the partnership is pending.
At the time, hedge fund manager Andrew Barroway held 51% control in Coyotes, which he bought in 2014. On July 29, 2019, Barroway sold that control to billionaire Alex. Meruelo, while Barroway remains the minority owner.
The Coyotes may not be actively looking for a new city to play in, but they need to find a new rink. Last August, the city of Glendale announced they had opted out of a joint lease they had with Arizona to play at the Gila River Arena, making Coyotes homeless (as of now) for the season. tournament 2022-23.
Leases operate on a yearly basis, allowing either party to opt out if needed. The city’s decision to terminate the agreement came after long-term negotiations fell through due to multiple announcements about the group’s outstanding balance.
In August, Coyotes president and CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez said the team was “disappointed” that the city of Glendale broke off years-long negotiations and reiterated the team’s desire to Find a permanent home in the area.
“We hope that they will reconsider a move that could hurt primarily the small businesses and hard-working residents of Glendale,” Gutierrez said. “We remain open to restarting good faith negotiations with the city. Most importantly, Coyotes is 100% committed to finding a lasting arena solution here in Arizona and nothing can shake it. Our determination to do what is right for our organization, the residents of the entire valley, and most importantly, our fans.”
To that end, the Coyotes tried to build a new 16,000-seat venue in Tempe, but they ran into obstacles there, too. The club’s $1.7 billion proposal for the project would include hotels, apartments and a shopping mall on 46 acres of city-owned land.
However, airport officials have raised concerns about the project’s proximity to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, as the property will line up with two of their busiest runways. The Coyotes claim the building heights they propose will not impede the landing of planes at the airport, and they vowed to work with officials in the area to resolve any issues that arise.
