Arizona Coyotes: Glendale Dropping The Gloves

The Glendale City Council Is Ready For A Fight

Gee, it wasn’t that long ago — in fact it was 2001, that the Glendale City council voted to lay down $180 million dollars to build the then named Glendale arena. I remember it well, because being a hockey fan who resided in the west valley, I was totally stoked to have the team play nearby. And, let’s face it folks the west valley gets ignored most of the time for attracting new facilities like this.

It interested me so much that at the time a buddy of mine, and I thought — why not apply for an usher position there? We thought ah… we don’t stand a chance, when we saw the 300-400 applicants lined up to fill out applications. Well, long story short, we both got hired and enjoyed watching our favorite hockey team, while getting paid to do so!

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The then mayor Elaine Scruggs was pivotal in the negotiations to bring the arena to Glendale, wooing the decision makers away from the Los Arcos area of Scottsdale. She knew speeding the process along would help Glendale’s chances at putting a notch on her political belt. At the time, everyone thought she was the savior. The Arizona Coyotes couldn’t have been happier than a kid on Christmas morning opening their favorite gift.

Their temporary home at America West arena was suitable, but had blocked sight lines, and the team wasn’t afforded the revenue of a main tenant. In the Glendale facility they would be able to sell suites to area companies, and be the main tenant, along with concerts and other attractions being booked to perform at the new arena.

The love affair didn’t last long, did it?

It seems like the love has been lost. I heard on a local newscast recently that this whole arena incident can be compared to a divorce. And the custody issues which go with a divorce strike home with the arena deal as well. Instead of who gets the kids, it’s who gets the arena?

And, right now neither party seems to want to back down. From the city’s point of view, they have been realizing losses they didn’t anticipate. They have been ridiculed by local citizens complaining that city services had to be cut, while the city charged the highest sales tax rate in the state. I just bought a new car, and unless I wanted to stuff the city of Glendale’s pockets with an extra 2.4% sales tax, ESPECIALLY after they are trying to evict my hockey team — well, they’re crazier than the mayor’s stunt to gain positive publicity by getting shot with a taser gun for a charity event!

On the Arizona Coyotes end of the ice, you see a struggling NHL hockey club attempting to overcome trials and tribulations for almost five years. They finally thought that on July 2, 2013 when they signed a 15 year lease agreement that also netted them $15 million a year to manage the arena, that things would be just fine. WRONG PUCKHEADS ! !

In the Glendale city’s wisdom (or lack thereof) they have put salt in the wound for the Arizona Coyotes, and the team is sick and tired of it, and they are not going to take it anymore! And, realistically I don’t blame them.

Say, after a year I decided I love my new car, all the great features, fuel economy — the whole works. But, hey I made a huge mistake in thinking that I can keep paying for it, and I want the bank to just forgive my obligation I have to continue making payments, as stipulated in my sales contract. What do you think the bank would say? We’re taking the car Mr. Grigsby, you’ve defaulted on your end of the contract. (By the way, I do love the car, and fully intend on paying off my loan early, maybe the City of Glendale should seek better counsel next time they sign a contract)

The Arizona Coyotes reaction to the City of Glendale’s execution session meeting where they have decided to continue their stance on cancelling the lease was simple and to the point:

"“We expect the City of Glendale to honor its contractual commitments. We intend to continue to honor ours.”"

Next: Arizona Coyotes: Glendale City Council's Official Arena Lease Vote

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