The NHL in Las Vegas: Three Reasons Phoenix Isn’t Moving There
2. The Timeline Doesn’t Match Up.
Apr. 4, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; Phoenix Coyotes left wing Rob Klinkhammer (36) takes the ice prior to the game against the Detroit Red Wings at Jobing.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
In a follow-up article done by The Score’s Ian Maclaren, he suggested that one reason the Coyotes might move would be the team’s ability to use an ‘out clause’ to relocate after three years in Glendale- which, were that true, would put the team’s ability to relocate right in line with the rumored date for a Las Vegas franchise to be added.
Of course, Craig Morgan of Fox Sports AZ cleared that up pretty quickly, but I still don’t think that everyone got a good look at what he said. Let me show you-
RE: @dpshow report on Las Vegas & NHL: Per team official, there is no provision that allows the #Coyotes to leave the Valley after 3 years.
— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) August 28, 2014
He then followed up by explaining exactly when, and how, the franchise could leave Glendale-
The out-clause for the #Coyotes to leave comes after 5 years if losses equal or exceed $50 million.
— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) August 28, 2014
This doesn’t even involve selling the team or obtaining league approval for the move. Based on this, the Coyotes are unable to opt out of their lease agreement with the city of Glendale and Gila River Arena until the end of the 2017-2018 season. Since all these rumors are putting a franchise in Las Vegas by 2016, this seems… well, you do the math.