Arizona Coyotes: Arena Partnership With Arizona State In Tempe Seems Likely
The Arizona Coyotes unsettled arena situation has been viewed a hindrance to growing a fanbase and filling seats in the desert. News has begun to trickle out that the Coyotes are potentially looking to partner with Arizona State University for a joint arena in Tempe, however, which could prove to be a more viable location for the future of the franchise.
Just a few days back Arizona Coyotes co-owner Anthony LeBlanc went on 98.7 FM’s Doug and Wolf and hinted that the Coyotes could have an announcement on a future home very soon.
Saturday, ESPN.com’s Scott Burnside gave us the strongest indication where that new arena might be located.
While there has been a lot of focus on the Yotes moving to downtown Phoenix and potentially partnering with the Phoenix Suns it looks like the team is focused in another direction.
Scott Burnside reported that “although there are still a number of options being discussed, it’s believed the most likely scenario is a partnership with Arizona State University with a new arena being built in Tempe.”
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The news of the potential deal came on the same day that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was giving his “state of the NHL address” at the 2016 NHL All-Star game in Nashville.
Burnside reports that Bettman was given the update on the Arizona Coyotes arena situation “before the NHL’s board of governors meeting in Nashville on Saturday morning.”
As we have discussed and written previously, there have been multiple ideas, locations, and rumors put forth during this process.
This particular rumor seems to have some legs to stand on, however.
The Arizona Coyotes official Twitter account retweeted Burnside’s story. The retweet all but guarantees that Tempe is in pole position at this point.
Recently promoted to Division I, Arizona State University men’s hockey team already has a loose partnership with the Coyotes. ASU played four games at Gila River Arena in their inaugural Division I season this year, and a joint arena with the Coyotes would theoretically also be home to both groups.
The central location could help the Arizona Coyotes fill the arena with the fans they have struggled to draw while located on their own in Glendale.
The emphasis on hockey in the new arena could also go a long way toward continuing the growth of ASU hockey in the area as they move into Division I full time going forward.
The arena could also serve as a replacement for Wells Fargo Arena where ASU basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, and wrestling currently host their games and competitions. ASU hockey currently plays it’s games at Oceanside Arena.
The article states that a new arena would not be ready for three years which would likely mean the Arizona Coyotes “would continue to play out of Gila River Arena in Glendale” during that time frame.
The location in Tempe seems a like a win-win for Coyotes fans and franchise alike moving forward. If the two organizations can find a site or method to alleviate some of the inevitable congestion that the area would experience the results could be tremendous.
Fans seem excited about the potential. When can we get started?