The NHL in Las Vegas: Three Reasons Phoenix Isn’t Moving There
3. ICE Arizona Hasn’t Mentioned a Sale
Oct 3, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; Members of Ice Arizona, the Phoenix Coyotes ownership group, pose prior to the game against the New York Rangers at Jobing.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Personally, I’m more for league expansion than relocation- I think that the league could handle two more franchises within the next five years. Four franchises in the next two years? Not so much… but two franchises in five years? Absolutely.
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Putting that aside, though, all the reports floating around have made it seem like Las Vegas is just waiting on an owner to bring the franchise to the West Coast- it would seem that if ICE Arizona was willing to let the team head out of the state, we would have heard chatter about this by now. Sales of franchises, particularly those who aren’t financially independent, aren’t quick and simple affairs. If the Coyotes were headed elsewhere, we undoubtedly would have heard about it by now- just look at Carolina. Even if the team stays put, we’ve at least heard speculation that the owner is looking to sell.
Additionally, the team has signed multiple blockbuster partnership agreements in recent years. All evidence suggests that the team is making a real effort to grow some roots where they are- I don’t see a rumor changing that.