Is Arizona Coyotes on the Move? The Hockey Team Faces Relocation Speculation After Tempe Proposal Rejected.

The Arizona Coyotes, a National Hockey League (NHL) franchise, are facing relocation after voters in Tempe, Arizona rejected a proposal for a new arena. As a result, the NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has announced that the league will review possible options for the team’s future, which has sparked speculation on social media regarding where the Coyotes could relocate to. Some of the familiar cities mentioned in this speculation include Houston, Kansas City, Salt Lake City, Milwaukee, Atlanta, and Quebec City. But if the Coyotes are done in Arizona, what could be next for the team?

H2: The Debate over Relocation

The question of whether the Arizona Coyotes should relocate is a matter of debate. On one side, it is argued that the team has struggled financially and struggled to find a stable home in Arizona. The Coyotes have been playing in the Gila River Arena since 2003, which is located in Glendale, a city located west Phoenix. Despite this, the team has yet to achieve consistent attendance numbers, which has made it difficult for the franchise to become profitable. Moreover, there have been ongoing struggles with securing a new arena that would be more centralized and draw in larger crowds.

On the other side, however, Coyotes fans and some local politicians oppose relocation, arguing that the team has been a part of Arizona’s sports scene for over two decades and has developed a loyal local fan base. They believe that the team should stay in Arizona, particularly since it is the only NHL team in the region.

H3: Prospective Cities for Relocation

Although the NHL has not made any official statements yet on relocation, several cities have been mentioned by the press as possible options for the Coyotes. Below are some of these prospective locations and a brief analysis of their appeal.

– Houston: Houston is the largest untapped market in the United States, and its demographic and economic profile suggest it would be a prime location for an NHL team. Furthermore, the city has hosted successful sporting events in the past and has an arena that could house an NHL franchise immediately.
– Kansas City: Kansas City has a history of successful professional sports teams and is home to the T-Mobile Center, which has a capacity of 17,500, presenting an opportunity for the Coyotes to play in front of larger audiences.
– Quebec City: Quebec City has a passionate hockey culture that could potentially draw in a substantial number of hockey fans. Moreover, the city used to be home to the Quebec Nordiques (now known as Colorado Avalanche) and could potentially regain an NHL franchise.
– Milwaukee: Milwaukee is the largest city in Wisconsin and has a staunch hockey following with a rich history of AHL hockey. Additionally, there is an arena that is currently not in use and could possibly accommodate an NHL team.
– Salt Lake City: Salt Lake City is home to the Utah Jazz and has previously hosted successful Winter Olympics. It also has an AFL hockey team, which has found success with strong attendance.

H3: The Future of the Coyotes

If the Coyotes do relocate, it is likely that they will need to rebrand. The Coyotes name itself is connected to the team’s history in Arizona, and it is unlikely fans will continue to support the team if it plays in a new city. Ownership structure and political support will play a vital role in the Coyotes’ success in the future. In this sense, Quebec City would be an ideal location since it has expressed a desire to welcome back an NHL team and has a viable ownership structure.

Alternatively, Suns owner Mat Ishbia has shown interest in buying the Coyotes and relocating them to downtown Phoenix. This seems to be the best possible solution so far since downtown is more centrally located and could draw in both Suns and Coyotes fans.

Overall, it is unclear where the Arizona Coyotes will go or if they will stay in Arizona. But whatever decision is made, it must be economically and sustainably feasible and beneficial to both the NHL and a potential relocation city.