We have some clarity on the rumblings yesterday surrounding a Plan B for the Arizona Coyotes to remain in the Phoenix area. Per CBS 5 Phoenix’s Dennis Welch, the Coyotes have reached out to the City of Mesa to discuss a potential arena on land currently occupied by the soon-to-be-demolished Fiesta Mall.
If the plan does come to pass, it could finally be a sustainable long-term solution for the team in Arizona. It’s prime land located in the largest eastern suburb of Phoenix, in an area where most of the Coyotes’ fanbase is located.
However, as Welch notes, this arena proposal could be subject to the same processes, including a public vote, that failed to approve the team’s proposal for an arena and entertainment district in Tempe two nights ago. It’s a high-risk investment that would almost certainly require immediate relocation of the team if it falls through, given their struggles up to this point.
The Fiesta Mall, once the largest and busiest shopping center in Mesa, has been completely vacant since 2019. The land’s current owners submitted paperwork to move forward with demolishing the mall in March.
Any proposal for an arena will have to be completed and submitted quickly. The already financially struggling team has no long-term security, and the off-ice struggles will continue to hinder the team’s ability to attract talent and ice a competitive team until their arena situation is resolved.
While their 2023-24 home is secured, set to play another season at Arizona State University’s Mullett Arena, relocation remains a looming option past that if an approved proposal doesn’t materialize soon.
Salt Lake City awaits
NHL players will love Utah alcohol laws.And no Sunday games either
The Coyotes in Arizona isn’t funny anymore and it’s beyond embarrassing for the league and especially the stubborn and egotistical commissioner Gary Bettman, Back up the moving truck and head for Houston.
You cry babies are everywhere. No one is going to support that team in Houston just like their football and basketball team. So cope harder.
What a load. You have idea what you’re talking about. Typical Houston basher.
Spot on.
Goob, there is a reason that Houston has never had an NHL franchise and has never had an ownership group do anything serious about getting a team to go there.
It’s an easy sports city to bash. Basketball and football teams such and their baseball team chests. And their fans get triggered whenever 2017 is brought up. Like shooting ducks in a barrel
By next week they will be making calls about a dirt mall in Chandler. Then if that doesn’t work, inquiring about the land currently housing a tent city in Gilbert.
@fightcitymayor – And, don’t forget about Apache Junction.
lol, can’t wait for them to call up the Pima Indian Nation and ask, “So… are you opposed to an arena on Superstition Mountain? Hello? Hello? I think they hung up…”
@fightcitymayor – Team ownership thought they had to communicate with smoke signals. Unfortunately, there was a tragic mistake on their end, with the Pima Indian Nation screaming, “You guys called Cochise a WHAT???” Word on the street is team ownership is holed up at Fort Courage, with the crew of F-Troop on guard.
:)
Gila Bend
@implant – Gila Bend? Gila Bent! ;)
Ahhh … THAT’s the holdup. Meruelo thought he was negotiating with the Hekawi, and had to be told that like his notion of making it in Arizona, they were fictional.
Just give up already!!
Just let it end! This is embarrassing for the NHL. Any kind of resolution is better than this never ending soap opera.
The Coyotes are like a girlfriend who refuses to accept the fact that you want to break up with her. It’s over & its time to move on. You’re no longer wanted here. Its been fun & I wish you good health & good luck with your next relationship. Now leave.
Fortunately for the Yotes both Salt Lake City & Houston are still single.
Yeah, this is just embarrassing now. This team’s been faffing around for TWENTY-FIVE YEARS now looking for some place, any place they can think of as a viable home in Arizona. Bettman’s ego’s gotten bigger than the sport.
“If at first you don’t succeed, try and try and try and try and try and try and try and try and try and try and try again” – Gary Bettman probably
Every sports team in Arizona is cursed , they’re wanted and so are the Coyotes but time’s are hard. I really don’t see them going to Utah or Houston but the clock is ticking.
But the owners of the mall waited until now to approach? Gee,I wonder if Tempe stiff armeed them.
The best place would be Milwaukee. They have an arena and a good fanbase. But Chicago vetoes that idea.
I don’t think Milwaukee can support NHL. The Admirals only attract 5,000 average per game. Population is 500,000 in city. But Milwaukee county is a million. Most people mentioned Milwaukee but I don’t see the support. Corporations are few for NHL
This one will work out.
Seriously.
The league is so stubborn about accepting a total failure. The Phoenix area doesn’t want to support this team in a big way. Their ownership doesn’t want to spend on players. They are a joke.
it is time to get this mess out of Arizona and to a place that will support it. The Kraken’s new AHL franchise in Palm Springs gets much more support than the Coyotes. End this face now. Move the Coyotes to Canada where it would be appreciated.
I thought Tempe was where most of the Coyotes fanbase was located that’s why they were moving there? No one can get their lie straight lol
The NHL isn’t going to move the Coyotes to Canada. The league already has two minor league cities in Winnipeg and Ottawa. Both franchises never spend to the cap and whine about lack of corporate resources. Phoenix has the corporate possibilities and if an arena deal can’t be done then Houston, Salt Lake City and Atlanta will battle it out. Fan interest isn’t the calling card for getting a team. It’s corporate boxes and sponsorships and advertising.
Winnipeg has 700k worth of cap space and Ottawa had 3 million… I mean that’s true if you mean they don’t use up all the cap space until they’re at zero.
Winnepeg and Ottawa are successful franchises. Your slur demeans their talent and their fan bases.
It’s a crap part of town with nothing around it. Sounds perfect.
Seriously the residents don’t want to foot the bill for these stadiums and arenas after paying for the others. They can keep bouncing to different parts of town to get the results they want but it’s not going to happen.
Take the L. Move the team. Salt Lake City or even Atlanta.
Portland, Oregon over SLC. The NHL isn’t going back to Atlanta. Again.
Sadly, Houston is probably the most likely.
I think Portland wills be a great location. Plenty of corporate sponsors in a city that is very similar to Seattle. The Blazers are a tremendous draw and have been ever since the 70’s. There are no other major sports in the city and the rivalry with the Kraken would be great.
I need to move to Kansas City