All-Purpose "Days of Our Meruelo" Talk

[Snarky Coyote]

AM was a morally compromised individual—an inevitable trait for anyone amassing such extreme wealth. He lacked the intelligence that fans, media, and state politicians often attributed to him based on his public persona. While he may have had good intentions and may have genuinely wanted to build a winning team, he had little regard for people. Just listen to what former Coyotes players have said after interacting with them with respect to the sale and relocation compared to their experience with SEG executives. His business tactics—lowballing, renegotiating deals, and slow-paying bills to leverage cost savings—paint a picture of an owner more concerned with financial maneuvering than the well-being of the franchise.

The issues started long before his involvement, dating back to the team's move from Winnipeg. There was never a clear plan for where the Coyotes would play, let alone an understanding of major logistical problems, such as the obstructed and unsellable seats at AWA or the inevitable salary escalations. The team was further blindsided by the NHL shutdown during the inaugural Glendale season. Ownership groups came and went, each driven by ulterior motives: some saw the Coyotes as a mere vehicle for real estate deals; others kept the franchise afloat just enough to serve their own interests; and some were so financially reckless that they ended up being sued by their own families. One ownership group even attempted to push the league into bankruptcy in hopes of forcing a relocation.

AM was a bad owner—but arguably the best one the Coyotes ever had (perhaps Gosbee?). Yet, in truth, all of them were disastrous. Every single one.

At the very least, I’m glad that the players now have an owner who offers them a legitimate shot at success, regardless of where they end up.

 

[Snarky Coyote]

Oh and I owe Katie Strang an apology

 

[TheLegend]

hNot buying it. It’s easy to speculate, hell I even considered it, but if you look at his body of work here, the theory just doesn’t hold water.
if (by some chance) true, he’s a much bigger asshat than I even thought.

Not really buying it either. Certainly was a strange coincidence though. Ironically, a spokesperson for GSR admitted they had no Plan B for that project had the TIF not been approved.

In Nevada he appears to be saint to many people. In Arizona he's an asshat (and two years from now he'll be an even bigger one).

YMMV.

 

[AZDesertKnight]

Seem to be inching closer to an eventual relocation of Tucson to Reno

He Sure as S%^& is going to break ground

This guy can drive into Lake Tahoe

 

[Sinurgy]

Just dipping in to say hi to our board. Miss y'all. Some life updates, things are good here. Work has been super busy. I'm pursuing some company certifications for data and shit, it's pretty cool. I've found I've got a real knack for it, and at this point, I'm one of the elder statesmen at the company, so I'm starting to mentor a lot too. Been getting back in shape and trying to lose some weight. Wife is good, still working at the library. We're getting closer and closer to getting a house. Thinking maybe another year, so that's exciting. Otherwise, just enjoying the outdoors when we can, spending time with her folks as they get older, try to help them around the house when we can. Ready for summer and days and nights in the pool.

Been watching some playoff hockey these last few weeks. Went back to following the Sabres this year - that team's still a trainwreck, but maybe some things change this summer, who knows. I think I'm bandwagoning for Edmonton in these playoffs, kind of want to see McDavid get his Cup. Missing our Yotes and still dreaming about one day seeing a team back. But for now... Peace be the journey. Hope life is treating you guys all well with love, health and prosperity.

I appreciate the update. It's weird but I can honestly say I miss forum 40 as much as I do the Coyotes. Crazy how big of a part it was in my life. I'm glad it's still open, I don't know how long it's going to take for me to truly let go of it. Probably hold out hope forever that it gets re-activated because Phoenix has a team again.

Still trying to talk myself into being like some of the OG Jet fans who followed the team to Phoenix but man it's tough. I both admire and loathe those who moved on without a second thought. I guess we'll see how it goes over the summer, maybe by next season I'll be ready. At least they have a proper team name now, it's not my favorite but it's so much better than "HC".

 

[MayDayMayDay]

I appreciate the update. It's weird but I can honestly say I miss forum 40 as much as I do the Coyotes. Crazy how big of a part it was in my life. I'm glad it's still open, I don't know how long it's going to take for me to truly let go of it. Probably hold out hope forever that it gets re-activated because Phoenix has a team again.

Still trying to talk myself into being like some of the OG Jet fans who followed the team to Phoenix but man it's tough. I both admire and loathe those who moved on without a second thought. I guess we'll see how it goes over the summer, maybe by next season I'll be ready. At least they have a proper team name now, it's not my favorite but it's so much better than "HC".

I feel that. I miss the team, miss the peeps, miss daily robust discourse on the forum. But I'm glad it's still here as a place for our community to keep in touch, talk hockey and just life in general from time to time.

Far as the team goes, I still... Still... Can't fully really put my feelings into words yet on it (something something grief is nonlinear something something giving myself grace). I just want NHL hockey back in AZ. And I look forward to being one of the OG's of the new franchise when it happens.

 

[The Feckless Puck]

I appreciate the update. It's weird but I can honestly say I miss forum 40 as much as I do the Coyotes. Crazy how big of a part it was in my life. I'm glad it's still open, I don't know how long it's going to take for me to truly let go of it. Probably hold out hope forever that it gets re-activated because Phoenix has a team again.

I've resigned myself to the fact that Phoenix will never have another NHL team. But I'll also say that I check F40 more than I check the NHL these days. I haven't watched a single hockey game all season - I've just been playing career mode on NHL 23. I didn't even know that there were four Canadian teams in the postseason until two days ago, when my daughter asked who I was cheering for.

I just can't watch the NHL - and specifically the Mammoth - after seeing how they are pulling themselves inside out through their anuses to make the Utah team sound like God's own gift to hockey. And then seeing them win the draft lottery... that was just another kick in the nads for me.

But I do miss chatting with y'all - those who are still here and not moving on with the elephant in the room (rimshot).

 

[Jakey53]

AM was a morally compromised individual—an inevitable trait for anyone amassing such extreme wealth. He lacked the intelligence that fans, media, and state politicians often attributed to him based on his public persona. While he may have had good intentions and may have genuinely wanted to build a winning team, he had little regard for people. Just listen to what former Coyotes players have said after interacting with them with respect to the sale and relocation compared to their experience with SEG executives. His business tactics—lowballing, renegotiating deals, and slow-paying bills to leverage cost savings—paint a picture of an owner more concerned with financial maneuvering than the well-being of the franchise.

The issues started long before his involvement, dating back to the team's move from Winnipeg. There was never a clear plan for where the Coyotes would play, let alone an understanding of major logistical problems, such as the obstructed and unsellable seats at AWA or the inevitable salary escalations. The team was further blindsided by the NHL shutdown during the inaugural Glendale season. Ownership groups came and went, each driven by ulterior motives: some saw the Coyotes as a mere vehicle for real estate deals; others kept the franchise afloat just enough to serve their own interests; and some were so financially reckless that they ended up being sued by their own families. One ownership group even attempted to push the league into bankruptcy in hopes of forcing a relocation.

AM was a bad owner—but arguably the best one the Coyotes ever had (perhaps Gosbee?). Yet, in truth, all of them were disastrous. Every single one.

At the very least, I’m glad that the players now have an owner who offers them a legitimate shot at success, regardless of where they end up.

I mostly agree, but the political landscape I believe was a big problem, maybe the biggest problem of all. Bettman even stated that the NHL would not return to AZ under the current political landscape. All it takes is one look at our ding bat Governor, Phoenix mayor etc. and you understand what Bettman meant. Then you have Tempe, who in my opinion were the best of all, but unfortunately that didn't work out. Most blame AM for that failure, but it was a land slide NO vote and it was probably doomed from day one. I wonder how Tempe is enjoying their dump site? Anyway, Phoenix screwed this up big time. It was really an embarrassment for Arizona. Some say NHL will return in 5 years, but in my opinion you can put a 1 in front of that 5.

 

[Coyotedroppings]

I mostly agree, but the political landscape I believe was a big problem, maybe the biggest problem of all. Bettman even stated that the NHL would not return to AZ under the current political landscape. All it takes is one look at our ding bat Governor, Phoenix mayor etc. and you understand what Bettman meant. Then you have Tempe, who in my opinion were the best of all, but unfortunately that didn't work out. Most blame AM for that failure, but it was a land slide NO vote and it was probably doomed from day one. I wonder how Tempe is enjoying their dump site? Anyway, Phoenix screwed this up big time. It was really an embarrassment for Arizona. Some say NHL will return in 5 years, but in my opinion you can put a 1 in front of that 5.

Tempe city council was in favor, iirc, so one wonders, why the landslide occurred. Doomed from day one? Hard to tell if that "day one" was born of AM's arrogance and overconfidence in his "rodeo drive of Tempe", or the day fans decided not to attend games, forcing the Glendale situation to go to hell.
Had fans attended, most all of us would have never heard of AM.

 

[Schemp]

Tempe city council was in favor, iirc, so one wonders, why the landslide occurred. Doomed from day one? Hard to tell if that "day one" was born of AM's arrogance and overconfidence in his "rodeo drive of Tempe", or the day fans decided not to attend games, forcing the Glendale situation to go hell.
Had fans attended, most all of us would have never heard of AM.

ASU and Hobbs, but we're not supposed to be talking politics.

 

[Summer Rose]

Tempe city council was in favor, iirc, so one wonders, why the landslide occurred. Doomed from day one? Hard to tell if that "day one" was born of AM's arrogance and overconfidence in his "rodeo drive of Tempe", or the day fans decided not to attend games, forcing the Glendale situation to go hell.
Had fans attended, most all of us would have never heard of AM.

Yes. The city council of Tempe voted 7-0 in favor.

 

[TheLegend]

Tempe city council was in favor, iirc, so one wonders, why the landslide occurred. Doomed from day one? Hard to tell if that "day one" was born of AM's arrogance and overconfidence in his "rodeo drive of Tempe", or the day fans decided not to attend games, forcing the Glendale situation to go to hell.
Had fans attended, most all of us would have never heard of AM.

Situation with Glendale was well beyond FUBAR before Meruelo bought the team.

(Hint: There were multiple parties to blame but the fans weren't one of them.)

 

[Edenjung]

I've resigned myself to the fact that Phoenix will never have another NHL team. But I'll also say that I check F40 more than I check the NHL these days. I haven't watched a single hockey game all season - I've just been playing career mode on NHL 23. I didn't even know that there were four Canadian teams in the postseason until two days ago, when my daughter asked who I was cheering for.

I just can't watch the NHL - and specifically the Mammoth - after seeing how they are pulling themselves inside out through their anuses to make the Utah team sound like God's own gift to hockey. And then seeing them win the draft lottery... that was just another kick in the nads for me.

But I do miss chatting with y'all - those who are still here and not moving on with the elephant in the room (rimshot).

I have the same feelings.
No NHL games watched and I banned all hockey youtubers from my feed last year.
Its just too painful for me. I haven't even looked at my coyotes mug since the last game. Or worn my jersey.

NHL hockey is just dead to me. I watch the World Championship and the DEL on occasion, but otherwise I am gone. Same goes for this forum.
Still I miss chattign about it.

Anyways, Off I go again into the sunset. Have fun.

 

[TheLegend]

I watched NHL hockey long before the NHL knew what the west coast was.

I'm not throwing a sport I love to watch out the door because of the business politics.

But to each their own, and I respect that.

 

[Coyotedroppings]

Situation with Glendale was well beyond FUBAR before Meruelo bought the team.

(Hint: There were multiple parties to blame but the fans weren't one of them.)

Of course the situation was fubar prior to AM. The fans had given up on the team, the sport, well before then.
Are you attempting to say that had fans shown up, the team would be gone anyhow?

 

[TheLegend]

Of course the situation was fubar prior to AM. The fans had given up on the team, the sport, well before then.
Are you attempting to say that had fans shown up, the team would be gone anyhow?

That's the proverbial chicken/egg question.

But I'm going to add just look at the attendance for the first years in Glendale and then look at what happened after the lockout, bankruptcy, etc. Then look what happened during the playoff years and what followed.

 

[Coyotedroppings]

That's the proverbial chicken/egg question.

But I'm going to add just look at the attendance for the first years in Glendale and then look at what happened after the lockout, bankruptcy, etc. Then look what happened during the playoff years and what followed.

Ahhh, so the LOCKOUT was what turned the fans away! Followed by a bk, that was pushed by that same lack of attendance. Even if you argue the last point, the original proves that we have a weak fanbase, at best. Greatest game on earth, played at the highest level and all the community could do was find excuses not to attend.

 

[TheLegend]

Ahhh, so the LOCKOUT was what turned the fans away! Followed by a bk, that was pushed by that same lack of attendance. Even if you argue the last point, the original proves that we have a weak fanbase, at best. Greatest game on earth, played at the highest level and all the community could do was find excuses not to attend.

So..... you think people should have kept going to games to watch bad hockey while their homes were going underwater?

"I might be homeless tomorrow, but as sure as shit, I still got my season tickets!!"

Arizona fans as a whole are fair weather.... you can see the same trends with the other AZ teams. They also aren't dumb.... they know a bad product when they see it and if you aren't going to give them one the you get what you get.

 

[Coyotedroppings]

So..... you think people should have kept going to games to watch bad hockey while their homes were going underwater?

"I might be homeless tomorrow, but as sure as shit, I still got my season tickets!!"

Arizona fans as a whole are fair weather.... you can see the same trends with the other AZ teams. They also aren't dumb.... they know a bad product when they see it and if you aren't going to give them one the you get what you get.

They’re so damn smart they lost their team!

 

[Coyotedroppings]

There were plenty of folks with plenty of money, to allow respectable attendance. Furthermore, there was over a decade of recovery from the time of the bk, that allowed for improved attendance, but the fans chose excuses.