Coyotes' Tempe Arena Proposal Discussion

[RemoAZ]

Doesn't matter how small it is. As I've said a million times, this has never been about attendance or fan location or about fans AT ALL. He's got the betting license locked up so as long as Meruello gets to make his zillion dollars off land development around wherever the arena ends up, he's happy. Nobody gives a shit about us. Period. Follow-the-money...

 

[AZviaNJ]

Wonder if the ever tightening relationship with ASU helps their chances with Tempe. I mean mean, Tempe is ASU and ASU is Tempe. If ASU is vouching for the Coyotes with Tempe, I would think that goes a long way with the council.

Anthony Leblanc is shaking his head and saying “I told you so.” His timing might’ve been a bit off.

 

[MIGs Dog]

Doesn't matter how small it is. As I've said a million times, this has never been about attendance or fan location or about fans AT ALL. He's got the betting license locked up so as long as Meruello gets to make his zillion dollars off land development around wherever the arena ends up, he's happy. Nobody gives a shit about us. Period. Follow-the-money...

Damn! This news has put me in a good mood. Apparently, the feeling is not universal.

 

[AZviaNJ]

Any guess as to how many season ticket holders the team has? The move to Tempe should increase that number as well if everything we've been told about east valley demand is correct.

Over 5k I believe

 

[The Feckless Puck]

Anthony Leblanc is shaking his head and saying “I told you so.” His timing might’ve been a bit off.

I can guarantee you that Anthony LeBlanc is NOT doing either of those things. If he's thinking about Arizona at all, it's because he's lamenting that his own stupidity killed off his grift.

 

[moosemeister]

Gonna try to get in line for season seats.

 

[Bondurant]

This news is going to crash HF Boards. The meltdown is beginning. Good shit.

 

[JasonDemersWasOkay]

The nhl just absorbed an entire season where 7 teams played half a 56 game season with no fans at all. One team playing with max 5000 (plus I guess standing room?) should be okay as long as it’s only for a few years.

We also don’t yet know how the Sportsbook is directly impacting or going to be impacting meruelo’s finances. If it’s as monstrously lucrative as suggested, that alone could help offset some of the loss here.

Gotta get the other arena done and finished

 

[Art.Vandelay]

Doesn't matter how small it is. As I've said a million times, this has never been about attendance or fan location or about fans AT ALL. He's got the betting license locked up so as long as Meruello gets to make his zillion dollars off land development around wherever the arena ends up, he's happy. Nobody gives a shit about us. Period. Follow-the-money...

I completely agree with this. Merulo will never make big bucks as a team owner. He'll make his money with the development and gambling. That's also why it's less likely that he moves the team. Most people are saying the team should move to xxx because they already have an arena. Merulo will never move to a location like that. If he can't get a deal done in AZ he'll sell and someone else will move them.

 

[RemoAZ]

Damn! This news has put me in a good mood. Apparently, the feeling is not universal.

I don't care anymore. Maybe when the team is worth watching I'll miss going but I'm pretty much used to no hockey at this point. Just irritates me when this is spun as anything other than a money grab even after the team president clearly stated they tried to get land out of Glendale to stay where they are. But that's how all rich people including politicians take our money. The general public will eat up that "it's for the people" BS every time.

 

[IrishFin]

Everyone on the relocate bandwagon get their wish. The Coyotes are relocating.

In all seriousness though, the sports betting license is the one thing that has kept me confident this team is here to stay until every last option is exhausted. It wouldn't make sense for Meruelo and the NHL to sell or leave now.

 

[moosemeister]

One step closer

 

[TheLegend]

The arena is small seating wise.

But it will check off virtually every amenity that the NHL requires of their arenas.

20 suites. (16 person capacity each)
Second community ice sheet for practice/etc.
NHL sized locker room.
Full sized center scoreboard with ring graphics.

..... and all the other bells and whistles.

The only down side is the capacity. But as some of you pointed out that will mean high ticket prices.

 

[MIGs Dog]

I don't care anymore. Maybe when the team is worth watching I'll miss going but I'm pretty much used to no hockey at this point. Just irritates me when this is spun as anything other than a money grab even after the team president clearly stated they tried to get land out of Glendale to stay where they are. But that's how all rich people including politicians take our money. The general public will eat up that "it's for the people" BS every time.

Putting capital to work to build wealth is what makes capitalism great. You should try it.

 

[Jamieh]

The annual losses for Meruelo must be staggering for this team. I can't imagine they can generate much more than half the costs of running the team in this new arena idea. He sure sounds like he's in for the long haul.

 

[GhostofTommyBolin]

One step closer

LOL. Are we back to assuming he'd want to play here or did we never stop assuming that?

 

[Wanderson]

So sick and tired of all the people who wants the Coyotes to get relocated. As an European, I just can’t wrap my head about that part of American sports. Relocating a team should only happen if there is no other choice. You guys have been through a lot, but you still follow the team on a daily basis and you do not deserve to lose your team. The league should always prioritise the existing fans, if they want to “grow” the sport, they should do it in another way than just moving a team to a different place.

Hopefully this smaller arena is the solution until you have a new, bigger, arena ready.

 

[rt]

Doesn't matter how small it is. As I've said a million times, this has never been about attendance or fan location or about fans AT ALL. He's got the betting license locked up so as long as Meruello gets to make his zillion dollars off land development around wherever the arena ends up, he's happy. Nobody gives a shit about us. Period. Follow-the-money...

You realize this is a temporary solution, right? It’s simply what they deem as the more attractive interim option versus burning money on AZVMC or a short term lease with COG.

 

[rt]

One step closer

We need to make a group avatar featuring this to troll the relocationistas.

 

[Bondurant]

LOL. Are we back to assuming he'd want to play here or did we never stop assuming that?

We are already building the bronze statue that will be at the front entrance of Gary Bettman Arena.

 

[Coyotedroppings]

Also wonder what the hike in ticket prices will be given the smaller venue

Me too and as a long time sth, I don't particularly like the idea of being bumped when the team is dismal.

 

[Grimes]

This would be a destination location for visitors. Come out to AZ in the winter/spring to see your favorite team in an intimate venue. I imagine they could even have a student section and keep those prices lower while hiking all other tickets by 25% or price gouge certain teams. There's lots building built on Rio Salado right now, wonder if AM could even add his hotel near by, especially if the arena ends up on the proposed location.

 

[The Feckless Puck]

You realize this is a temporary solution, right? It’s simply what they deem as the more attractive interim option versus burning money on AZVMC or a short term lease with COG.

There is no other realistic option. Period.

AVMC would be a money pit.

Chase Field would be a logistical and scheduling nightmare, to say nothing of the cost of maintaining an ice sheet for more than one weekend.

Gila River Arena is no longer an option, and Footprint Center never was.

It's basically ASU or Fertittaville at this point.

 

[The Feckless Puck]

I imagine they could even have a student section and keep those prices lower while hiking all other tickets by 25% or price gouge certain teams.

My uninformed yet commonsensical guess would be that this would be a condition of any agreement between the Mutts and ASU - reserved seating for ASU students at a deep discount.

 

[TheLegend]

Wll the GoPHNX site is still crashed.....

There's a podcast on the announcement coming up in a little over 15 minutes..