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Coyotes now owned by the NHL |
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Today in court Judge Redfield T. Baum approved the sale of the Phoenix Coyotes to the NHL. This accomplishes two things: first it gets the team out of the Bankruptcy court; second it now allows the NHL as well as potential buyers to negotiate with the City of Glendale. One of the main negotiations that will need to be completed is a new lease agreement. One of the main complaints of potential bidders, who eventually ended up pulling out of the auction, was the ability to conduct these discussions outside of the public sector.
I see today’s ruling as phase one of a three phase process. Phase two is to seriously start looking for local bidders again, similar to what the league was doing before Jerry Moyes filed for bankruptcy. Phase three would then be the selling of the team to the owner the NHL feels is strongest.
Phase one took five months and has caused major damage to the Phoenix market. The effects are being seen in the attendance as well as the advertising of the team locally. The Coyotes staff was decimated during this entire process losing sales and marketing staff. Season ticket holders and die hard fans have been faced with uncertainty of the team staying in town.
The economy in Phoenix has not helped the situation either. All of the sports teams in town are seeing a decrease in attendance; the Phoenix Cardinals who made an appearance in the Super Bowl last season, have had to make major pushes each week to sell out the stadium and avoid blackouts on TV.
With all that has happened over the last five months for the NHL to rush into phase three would be a mistake. There are a few groups known to the public that have shown and interest in the team. Ice Edge Holdings being the most vocal so far, they have attended numerous home and away games. They have met with the City of Glendale as well as the NHL. Publicly they have said they are committed to keeping the team in Phoenix. They were impressed with the attendance at the Whiteout. They even commented on the number of jerseys in the stands not just the giveaway t-shirts.
The second group that has shown an interest publicly are the current owners of the Toronto Argonauts CFL football team. They were originally part of the Ice Edge group but have now gone out on their own. They have said they have 10-12 other investors ready to join their group. Since I don’t follow CFL football or the ins and outs of anything to come out of Toronto not related to hockey, I can not really say much about this group.
The NHL has hinted at others but nothing has been reported publicly. It is a double edged sword the NHL is wielding now. The Phoenix market needs certainty that the team is staying long term, the NHL needs the time to ensure whomever they sell the team to, can really do what it is going to take to keep the team here. After sitting through court for the last five months, talking to both Gary Bettman and Bill Daly on numerous occasions, I am hopeful they will take the time that is needed to get it right.
A little about the Phoenix market and fan base:
The sports fans in Phoenix are fair-weather fans and they have a many different venues to choose from. We have all four major sports in town. There is also Arizona State University and University of Arizona within a two hour drive. The majority of people who live here have moved from somewhere else. There are hard core knowledgeable hockey fans in this town. Many of these folks have grown up following other teams. Heck I am one of them - a converted Habs fan.
The youth hockey movement in town has gained momentum over the last couple of years. New ice arenas have gone up across the valley. This is the start of the “Grassroots” movement that is needed to build a stronger fan base here in town. I think new ownership will need to embrace this and continue to push it along.
The team is off to one of the best starts in the 7-8 years I have been following them. The on ice product looks much better than it has. I feel if the Coyotes can remain consistent and make it into the playoffs this year. That will only help in the healing process as well as converting some of the transient fans we have in town.
Don Maloney, Doug Moss, Coach Tippett and the team are doing their part, I have faith the NHL will do their part. Now it is time for the fans in Phoenix, regardless of who you grew up watching to do your part. The team has put together great ticket packages and promotions available check then out at www.phoenixcoyotes.com or you can buy tickets by calling 480-563-PUCK (7825)
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