Coyotes hope to stay in Arizona, despite relocation claims
By Sammi Silber
The Arizona Coyotes announced Thursday that they don’t plan on relocating, despite recent claims that ownership is looking at different arenas outside of Arizona.
The Arizona Coyotes confirmed Thursday that reports of possible relocation are untrue, and that the team does not plan on going anywhere.
“Recent reports by the Glendale Star that the Coyotes ownership group has explored arena options outside the Arizona market are completely false,” Coyotes President and CEO Anthony LeBlanc said via NHL.com. “The Star referenced an anonymous arena source and an anonymous Coyotes source, and these are a fabrication.”
On Wednesday, the Star reported that “members of the Arizona Coyotes” toured arenas in Portland, Oregon and KeyArena in Seattle. Both respective venues house the Portland Trailblazers and formerly, the Seattle Supersonics.
For years, the Coyotes organization has found itself in the middle of multiple relocation rumors. According to Yahoo! Sports, there was talk that the team could be headed to Seattle. In 2013, the NHL attempted to sell the Coyotes after the team’s ownership filed for bankruptcy.
Staying in the Desert?
Arizona has also struggled with keeping their arena and finding a place to play. Arizona State University and the Coyotes recently came to a deal to build and share a new arena. This would have relocated the Coyotes Tempe, and for that, they faced backlash from Arizona legislature. However, ASU pulled out of the negotiation, and now, the Coyotes are out of a new home.
The team can always relocate to Glendale, but if that doesn’t work out, they may run into trouble remaining in Arizona. Still, according to a Feb. 3 statement from Coyotes CEO Anthony LeBlanc, the Coyotes will continue their search for a new arena within the state.
“…The Coyotes are committed to the Valley for the long term, and we will continue to explore other options that will ensure a successful future for the team and our fans,” LeBlanc wrote. “…We intend to do everything we can to keep NHL hockey here in Arizona.”