TheLegend
Hangman's booking agent... he'll do anything.
So he spoke once at one meeting. That's a far cry from what he should be doing. The fact that he can be in a room and people still ask where he is, shows he has a pr problem. People don't even recognize him.
When there is a perception right or wrong that you're a shady dude who can't be trusted, you have to be out there yourself and can't have other people doing your talking for you. You have to make people like you. People in Tempe voted to have a landfill instead of doing business with him and you know part of that is the perception of him as being untrustworthy. Now you can say all you want that The Athletic article was a hit piece and the not paying taxes in Glendale was an oversight etc. but him not being visible himself creates more problems. Its the epitome of an unforced error
It wasn't about a landfill. Tempe1st made it about "corrupt billionaire handouts" and that fell lock step with the sensitivities of the people who voted.
There was never a serious alternative idea from them for using the land. And when the city eventually has to clean it up and the residents are actually put on the hook for it, the last thing anyone will ever admit is.... "Hmmm.... maybe TED really wasn't that bad of an idea??"
And yes.... not paying taxes was a serious mistake. One the Coyotes have acknowledged over and over that it wasn't intentional. Didn't matter.... Glendale just simply weaponized it, and Tempe1st just carried it forward.
Damage was done. Nothing on Meruelo's part was going to alter that narrative.