Arizona Coyotes Arena Quest Continues
According to the latest reports from Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports, the Arizona Coyotes are once again embarking on their journey to secure a new arena. The Arizona Land Department’s Board of Appeals is set to convene this week to discuss a potential site in Phoenix that the Coyotes are eyeing for their new home.
Recent developments have highlighted a Phoenix site where the Coyotes are eager to construct their arena. An appraisal conducted last week has established a minimum sale price of $68.5 million for the land, as reported by 12News in Arizona. The Board of Appeals is scheduled to make a crucial decision on Thursday regarding whether the land will be put up for public auction.
If the board opts for an auction, it is anticipated to take place approximately 10 weeks later. Since being displaced from the Gila River Arena following the conclusion of the 2021-22 season, the Coyotes have been utilizing the Mullett Arena at Arizona State University, which boasts a modest capacity of 4,600.
Speculation surrounding the team’s future in Arizona has intensified ever since a proposed new arena in Tempe was rejected by residents in 2022. Notably, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh have recently raised concerns about the urgency of securing a new arena for the Coyotes.
It is worth noting that the construction timeline for NHL arenas typically ranges from three to five years, spanning from initial approval to full operational use. Furthermore, the team’s potential relocation has garnered attention, with Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith expressing a keen interest in bringing NHL hockey to Salt Lake City, sparking rumors about the possibility of the Coyotes making a move.
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