The Coyotes said Wednesday that owner Alex Meruelo has executed a letter of intent to buy a piece of land for a potential arena in Mesa, Arizona, a positive development for the NHL team in its lengthy search to find a permanent home in the desert.
The move comes months after voters in Tempe rejected a referendum to construct an arena there. The Coyotes say they remain committed to building a privately funded rink and entertainment district and continue to explore other potential sites in the Phoenix area.“We appreciate the tremendous support that we have received from many communities, elected officials and community leaders who have expressed their desire to see the Coyotes remain in the Valley permanently,” the team said in a statement.
The Coyotes are going into their second season at 5,000-seat Mullett Arena on the campus of Arizona State University. New NHL Players’ Association executive director Marty Walsh has raised concerns about the situation there and said the union would like the team to figure out a sustainable long-term solution.
At the draft in Nashville in late June, team president and CEO Xavier Gutierrez said the Coyotes had identified six possible sites for a new building in the east valley in the 101 Highway corridor that covers the cities of Scottsdale, Phoenix and Mesa — none of which would require a public vote. “We still want to put our money where our mouth is and build something that’ll be best in class,” Gutierrez said at the time. “We were disappointed with the vote in Tempe, but we turned the page very quickly.”
Weeks earlier at the start of the Stanley Cup Final in Las Vegas, Bettman reaffirmed the league’s commitment to Arizona, where the team moved to in 1996 from Winnipeg. The team has since played in three different arenas, initially in downtown Phoenix, then Glendale and Tempe.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Arizona Coyotes Owner Plans to Buy Land in Mesa for Possible Arena, Entertainment DistrictThe Arizona Coyotes owner, Alex Meruelo, has executed a Letter of Intent to purchase land in Mesa for the potential construction of a sports arena and entertainment district. The team is also considering other sites in the East Valley.
Read more »
Utah Ranchers Criticize Biden for Creating National Monument in ArizonaUtah ranchers express concerns over the creation of a national monument in Arizona, arguing that the Arizona Strip has stronger historical, religious, and cultural ties to Utah than Arizona.
Read more »
Tribes Hope Biden's Arizona Visit Means Long-Sought Grand Canyon Monument DesignationAdvocates for limiting mining around Grand Canyon National Park express hope for a new national monument to preserve the land for future generations. President Joe Biden's visit to the area on Tuesday is expected to include an announcement of plans for the monument, with representatives of northern Arizona tribes invited to attend.
Read more »
Second body found at Arizona State Capitol in less than 2 weeksA body has been found on the grounds of the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix for the second time in less than two weeks, according to authorities. The body was discovered Monday morning in the west parking lot of the Capitol, as confirmed by the Arizona Department of Public Safety officials.
Read more »
Biden to Announce Grand Canyon Monument Designation During Arizona VisitPresident Joe Biden will visit Arizona to announce the designation of a new national monument around Grand Canyon National Park, protecting it from mining and preserving it for future generations. Representatives from northern Arizona tribes will be present at the announcement.
Read more »
Arizona Democrat Urges Biden to Address Extreme Heat Ahead of Senate PrimaryRep. Ruben Gallego, a Democrat from Arizona, is calling on President Joe Biden to take more action in addressing extreme heat as the state's primary election approaches. Gallego is advocating for extreme heat to be added to the list of disaster-qualifying events.
Read more »