The Tempe City Council has voted to move forward with the Arizona Coyotes and continue negotiations over the development of the proposed arena and entertainment district. While this does not mean an arena deal is agreed to, it is obviously a positive step forward for the Coyotes as they look to find a more permanent home.
The team released the following statement on last night’s decision:
We are extremely pleased that the Tempe City Council has voted to proceed with negotiations on development of the Tempe Entertainment District. Having heard all the facts, they have recognized the incredible opportunity that this project presents — not only for the Coyotes but also for the city of Tempe. We look forward to taking the next steps to turn this exciting vision into a reality.
One note from the meeting that stood out, as Katie Strang and Sean Shapiro of The Athletic write, is that while addressing the team’s long-term vision, Coyotes president Xavier Gutierrez suggested ownership is looking at “additional teams to own” in the area. The session–which lasted more than eight hours–also included several financial pledges from Coyotes ownership, messages from Shane Doan and Clayton Keller, and Gary Bettman indicating that if the proposal went forward, the team would sign a 30-year non-relocation document.
The Coyotes are set to play the next three seasons at Arizona State University, in a 5,000-seat facility that has drawn the ire and ridicule of many hockey fans across the country. If this plan moves forward with Tempe, the team would be looking forward to a much more realistic long-term home.
Question: If Matthews were inclined to sign with his hometown team once he becomes a UFA, how would the ‘Yotes be able to afford to pay him? Even a sold out 5000 seat arena at top dollar per seat wouldn’t allow for that. Yet I wouldn’t put it past Bettman & Co. to push things in that direction in order to “save” that franchise.
The salary cap is based on league wide and shared revenue, isn’t it?
The team has more revenue sources than just ticket sales – don’t forget about TV, merchandise, sponsorships, etc. Hopefully they have a good TV contract for the next several years, seeing as a lot fewer people will be able to attend games until they’re in a proper NHL arena.
But how much media/merchandise revenue will the Coyotes generate?
Sure, teams get a certain amount of league generated revenue, but we have to be talking about over half of their cap hit being paid for by essentially other teams. Imagine them outbidding other teams for a top UFA using money they don’t have?
Bizarre.
The reason the Coyotes and the NHL were so entrenched with staying in Arizona is because ticket sales represent a small percentage of their revenue stream.
don’t worry, Auston ain’t signing with Phoenix any time soon.
My theory is that the league as a whole currently likes having a drag on overall league revenue because it keeps the cap from rising. Having a sold out 20,000 seat arena in some new market could prove costly for teams that feel pressured to spend to the cap ceiling.