REPORT: Tempe City council does NOT approve new Coyotes arena - But could still be built

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Ryan
October 31, 2022 (5:56 PM)

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So where do we begin here? The Arizona Coyotes were kicked out of their last building and are now playing in a 5,000 seat arena shared with the Arizona State team.

The arena is called 'Mullet Arena' and is not completely finished yet, so the dressing rooms for the visiting teams were quickly thrown together on an empty ice pad, and the teams were shuttled over to the playing rink.

The plan for the Coyotes was to play in Mullet Arena for only a few seasons while they have a new rink in Tempe built, which would hold far more fans and would look much more professional, but the council meeting to approve the new arena was denied.

If the Coyotes cannot begin playing in and filling an NHL sized arena, Bettman might finally be forced to move the franchise as they will not be able to compete in revenue with teams filling rinks of 15,000+.

But while the new arena was not approved, it doesn't necessarily mean it's not getting built:

Per sources, the Tempe City Council is likely to refer the Coyotes' arena & entertainment district proposal to referendum, leaving a vote in citizens' hands.
That may delay the process, but the proposal appears to have support.

Breaking: Per sources, the Tempe City Council is likely to refer the Coyotes' arena & entertainment district proposal to referendum, leaving a vote in citizens' hands.
That may delay the process, but the proposal appears to have support.

Via @PHNX_Sports https://t.co/j2tyoY5iPf� Craig Morgan: "Shockingly personable" (@CraigSMorgan) October 30, 2022