CXLVII - Is this the 'Final Countdown' in Arizona?

[Ernie]

How about these...

View attachment 815099

www.landsearch.com/properties/phoenix-az/filter/size[min]=40

Meruelo might need some public subsidies to afford those...

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

Would Meruelo move forward with land/arena/entertainment district without any $$ help? I'm sure there would be some small tax incentives, but I can't imagine that would be enough.

 

[Llama19]

'Issue of transparency': Arizona Coyotes' land interest raises ethics flags for Gov. Katie Hobbs

To quote:

"About three weeks after voters rejected the Arizona Coyotes’ plans to build a hockey arena and entertainment district in Tempe, the team CEO had a meeting with Gov. Katie Hobbs, according to a copy of Hobbs’ schedule.

That June meeting came weeks before an application was filed to buy trust land from the Arizona State Land Department under Hobbs’ oversight.

Two months later, schedules show team CEO Xavier Gutierrez had another meeting in the Governor’s Office. That time, Gutierrez was to meet with Hobbs’ Chief of Staff Chad Campbell, a former lobbyist for the Coyotes and whose political consulting firm worked on the team’s Tempe campaign before Campbell joined the Hobbs administration.

The Governor’s Office would not say what was discussed in those meetings, including whether the Coyotes’ effort to buy state land was on the agenda. Gutierrez also declined to reveal what was discussed, saying whether to do so was up to the Governor’s Office.

Two government ethics experts said Campbell’s discussion with the CEO, a former client, appeared to be a conflict of interest and they called for more transparency. "

Source: www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2024/02/06/hobbs-involvement-in-arizona-coyotes-land-interest-faces-ethics-scrutiny/72487466007/

 

[aqib]

It's not looking good coyotes fans. Bettman was awfully shaky, but Fertitta didn't want to pay 600-700 mil a few years ago, he's not going to want to pay now, that's forsure.

I'm not sure what's going to happen, but it seems the BOG is finally at it's end point.

​

I am always reminded of the fact that when Alexander bought the Rockets he paid $85 million. Ferritta bid $80 million. Alexander eventually sold to Ferritta for $2.2 billion an extra $10 million would have saved him over $2.1 billion

 

[Fatass]

'Issue of transparency': Arizona Coyotes' land interest raises ethics flags for Gov. Katie Hobbs

To quote:

"About three weeks after voters rejected the Arizona Coyotes’ plans to build a hockey arena and entertainment district in Tempe, the team CEO had a meeting with Gov. Katie Hobbs, according to a copy of Hobbs’ schedule.

That June meeting came weeks before an application was filed to buy trust land from the Arizona State Land Department under Hobbs’ oversight.

Two months later, schedules show team CEO Xavier Gutierrez had another meeting in the Governor’s Office. That time, Gutierrez was to meet with Hobbs’ Chief of Staff Chad Campbell, a former lobbyist for the Coyotes and whose political consulting firm worked on the team’s Tempe campaign before Campbell joined the Hobbs administration.

The Governor’s Office would not say what was discussed in those meetings, including whether the Coyotes’ effort to buy state land was on the agenda. Gutierrez also declined to reveal what was discussed, saying whether to do so was up to the Governor’s Office.

Two government ethics experts said Campbell’s discussion with the CEO, a former client, appeared to be a conflict of interest and they called for more transparency. "

Source: www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2024/02/06/hobbs-involvement-in-arizona-coyotes-land-interest-faces-ethics-scrutiny/72487466007/

It just seems like this Coyote ownership can’t stay away from some kind of controversy. And now the NHLPA head was commenting on them too. If they don’t get their new rink started soon imo the league will move them. Not too sure where but any move will cost a similar price to new clubs’ expansion fees.

 

[Major4Boarding]

'Issue of transparency': Arizona Coyotes' land interest raises ethics flags for Gov. Katie Hobbs

To quote:

"About three weeks after voters rejected the Arizona Coyotes’ plans to build a hockey arena and entertainment district in Tempe, the team CEO had a meeting with Gov. Katie Hobbs, according to a copy of Hobbs’ schedule.

That June meeting came weeks before an application was filed to buy trust land from the Arizona State Land Department under Hobbs’ oversight.

Two months later, schedules show team CEO Xavier Gutierrez had another meeting in the Governor’s Office. That time, Gutierrez was to meet with Hobbs’ Chief of Staff Chad Campbell, a former lobbyist for the Coyotes and whose political consulting firm worked on the team’s Tempe campaign before Campbell joined the Hobbs administration.

The Governor’s Office would not say what was discussed in those meetings, including whether the Coyotes’ effort to buy state land was on the agenda. Gutierrez also declined to reveal what was discussed, saying whether to do so was up to the Governor’s Office.

Two government ethics experts said Campbell’s discussion with the CEO, a former client, appeared to be a conflict of interest and they called for more transparency. "

Source: www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2024/02/06/hobbs-involvement-in-arizona-coyotes-land-interest-faces-ethics-scrutiny/72487466007/

Why all the radio-silence, lack-of-transparency, optics issues (again!)? I mean, is buying Trust land that difficult? Seriously asking. This shit's been cooking on the back burner for the better part of 10 months and details are coming out more frequently now? This is also the reason why I requested just some good ol' fashioned, cash-in-hand, no-bull land opportunities upthread.

The Arizona Republic regularly requests Hobbs’ and Campbell’s schedules, which are subject to disclosure under public record law. When requests dating back to April had not prompted a response, The Republic in December sent a legal demand for those records. The Governor’s Office promptly complied and provided Hobbs’ and Campbell’s calendars through Nov. 30.

Hobbs told The Republic in December that it was too early to comment on the possibility of the Coyotes buying state land.

"As with any state land purchase, we're going to make sure that it's in the best interest of the beneficiaries,” she said.

“If this is happening, it will happen like any other state land purchase,” Hobbs said then. She said at the time that “as far as I know, [Campbell] hasn’t been involved.”

 

[TheLegend]

Why all the radio-silence, lack-of-transparency, optics issues (again!)? I mean, is buying Trust land that difficult? Seriously asking. This shit's been cooking on the back burner for the better part of 10 months and details are coming out more frequently now? This is also the reason why I requested just some good ol' fashioned, cash-in-hand, no-bull land opportunities upthread.

Hard to say. If you believe Gutierrez this is still not he only parcel they're looking at. But even I'm skeptical of that.

However, Governor Hobbs has been looking into using the land trust to bolster money going to education, because laws passed under the Ducey Administration to expand the voucher program (ESAs) have caused public school funding to fall very short

This article from the same author is from Jan. 16th.

Gov. Katie Hobbs has new plan to increase pay for Arizona schools, educators. Here are the details

Katie Hobbs released her plan to renew a key measure that funds public schools, adding earmarks requiring money be spent on educator pay.

www.azcentral.com

The big question of the article Llama posted is the involvement of a person working for Hobbs now was previously a consultant for the Coyotes during the TED proposal. There's a question of how many times they met (records say more than once, and Hobb's spokesperson says it was only once and rescheduling made it appear to be more than that.)

But there's also this.

Hobbs told The Republic in December that it was too early to comment on the possibility of the Coyotes buying state land.

"As with any state land purchase, we're going to make sure that it's in the best interest of the beneficiaries,” she said.

“If this is happening, it will happen like any other state land purchase,” Hobbs said then. She said at the time that “as far as I know, [Campbell] hasn’t been involved.”

So outside of the Governor's office not following through promptly on the AZ Republic's requests, is there really anything that nefarious going on here? (and I'm saying that with tongue in cheek )

Certainly raises an ethics question towards one of the governor's staff.

 

[TheLegend]

It just seems like this Coyote ownership can’t stay away from some kind of controversy. And now the NHLPA head was commenting on them too. If they don’t get their new rink started soon imo the league will move them. Not too sure where but any move will cost a similar price to new clubs’ expansion fees.

Ignore the noise coming from the PA.

The rest of this though is important.

 

[Major4Boarding]

Hard to say. If you believe Gutierrez this is still not he only parcel they're looking at. But even I'm skeptical of that.

However, Governor Hobbs has been looking into using the land trust to bolster money going to education, because laws passed under the Ducey Administration to expand the voucher program (ESAs) have caused public school funding to fall very short

This article from the same author is from Jan. 16th.

Gov. Katie Hobbs has new plan to increase pay for Arizona schools, educators. Here are the details

Katie Hobbs released her plan to renew a key measure that funds public schools, adding earmarks requiring money be spent on educator pay.

www.azcentral.com

Thanks, TL. More questions though.

Has that parcel’s availability been there for awhile, like prior to last summer? Or has it been just become available within, say, the last 18 months?

Does this location move the needle for the fanbase? My knowledge of the transit situation in the Valley is what I read here from the fanbase. Also back in 2007 when my former employer had collection sites in Central City, Chandler, Laveen, Mesa, and Sun City.

 

[TheLegend]

Thanks, TL. More questions though.

Has that parcel’s availability been there for awhile, like prior to last summer? Or has it been just become available within, say, the last 18 months?

Does this location move the needle for the fanbase? My knowledge of the transit situation in the Valley is what I read here from the fanbase. Also back in 2007 when my former employer had collection sites in Centeal City, Chandler, Laveen, Mesa, and Sun City.

Don't know about availability. Haven't dug into the land trust that much, but it's becoming a factor in the state it seems since the previous governor.

Location wise for the long term fans in Gilbert and Chandler it's a bit of a drive but not as far as Glendale, and ADot just began a widening project to the Loop 101 up that corridor which should be done before an arena could be built and open.

It's also up where the players and big money live.

Also still quite a bit of open space there.

 

[Osakahaus]

Ultimately it is better for the NHL to find a solution in Arizona than it is to move them. They really need to stay there if we want hockey to have any impact in the desert .

 

[JimAnchower]

So outside of the Governor's office not following through promptly on the AZ Republic's requests, is there really anything that nefarious going on here? (and I'm saying that with tongue in cheek )

Certainly raises an ethics question towards one of the governor's staff.

If the Coyotes win the bid for the land, could these ethics questions lead to delays with more investigations, lawsuits, etc.? The team has been in limbo for how many years and I'm not sure the league will want to pull the plug if there are delays with whatever power they have to force a sale/relocation.

 

[TheLegend]

If the Coyotes win the bid for the land, could these ethics questions lead to delays with more investigations, lawsuits, etc.? The team has been in limbo for how many years and I'm not sure the league will want to pull the plug if there are delays with whatever power they have to force a sale/relocation.

Anything is possible. But I expect the Coyotes would take a path though that has the least chance of anything outside trying to interfere with it. At least it seems they're wanting that.

This recent article seems to question the ethics of a person within the Hobbs administration having a meeting with Gutierrez prior to the original application to the land trust. Same person who worked as a consultant for the Coyotes' TED proposal prior to working for the governor. Nobody knows what they talked about but the ethics question is still there.

Anyone who remembers back when IceArizona hired Glendale's former city attorney and it triggered the city's termination their 15-year lease because the state has a law prohibiting this kind of activity (@1CasualFan taught me a lot on that subject) and while this recent event is a slightly different scenario, it shows that it could be taken seriously.

 

[Stumbledore]

Ultimately it is better for the NHL to find a solution in Arizona than it is to move them. They really need to stay there if we want hockey to have any impact in the desert .

Oh, I think the Coyotes have had a huge and lasting impact already...

 

[Tom ServoMST3K]

From the Daily Faceoff Piece:

"League sources have been buzzing about an option much less talked about, but one that is clearly on the table, and involves Meruelo selling the franchise to another local business interest who could privately purchase a parcel of land and fully fund the build of a new arena."

Would be a little outta left field for me.

 

[PredsHead]

Here is the link to the current draft agenda...
for the Arizona State Land Department's meeting for February 8...

land.az.gov/sites/default/files/2024-01/DraftAgenda%2002_08_2024.pdf

There are no attachments...yet...because of this statement in the agenda..."Please note: The attachment with a detailed listing of agenda items I, II, and III will be available in the Board Clerk’s office after Monday, January 29, 2024 or at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the scheduled meeting."

Looks like it has been updated but I don't see anything that would be the Coyotes.

https://land.az.gov/sites/default/files/2024-02/FinalCombinedAgenda_02082024_3_2_2.pdf

 

[Llama19]

Looks like it has been updated but I don't see anything that would be the Coyotes.

https://land.az.gov/sites/default/files/2024-02/FinalCombinedAgenda_02082024_3_2_2.pdf

You are correct...the land that Meruelo...and Gutierrez stated...they were interested in...is not listed...

Plan S&R?

 

[KevFu]

Wild idea:

Ibisha buys the Coyotes, Smith pays an expansion fee. The Coyotes move to Salt Lake with a rebrand, owned by Smith. While Ibisha gets a new arena deal for the Suns and Coyotes to stay downtown (probably on the site of Chase Field, with the DBacks looking for a new stadium).

When the arena is done, the Coyotes return as an expansion team, with the Atlanta Thrashers.

Everyone wins.


Also, for the life of me, I can't figure out why the Coyotes don't offset the lack of seats in Mullett by playing their home games against Chicago, Minnesota and NY Rangers at Chase Field.

 

[Llama19]

From the Daily Faceoff Piece:

"League sources have been buzzing about an option much less talked about, but one that is clearly on the table, and involves Meruelo selling the franchise to another local business interest who could privately purchase a parcel of land and fully fund the build of a new arena."

Would be a little outta left field for me.

Option #3 is the only realistic one...

 

[Llama19]

If the Coyotes win the bid for the land, could these ethics questions lead to delays with more investigations, lawsuits, etc.? The team has been in limbo for how many years and I'm not sure the league will want to pull the plug if there are delays with whatever power they have to force a sale/relocation.

Refer to this post...

 

[JimAnchower]

Wild idea:

Ibisha buys the Coyotes, Smith pays an expansion fee. The Coyotes move to Salt Lake with a rebrand, owned by Smith. While Ibisha gets a new arena deal for the Suns and Coyotes to stay downtown (probably on the site of Chase Field, with the DBacks looking for a new stadium).

When the arena is done, the Coyotes return as an expansion team, with the Atlanta Thrashers.

Everyone wins.


Also, for the life of me, I can't figure out why the Coyotes don't offset the lack of seats in Mullett by playing their home games against Chicago, Minnesota and NY Rangers at Chase Field.

Aren't the Suns tied to downtown until 2037?

 

[TheLegend]

From the Daily Faceoff Piece:

"League sources have been buzzing about an option much less talked about, but one that is clearly on the table, and involves Meruelo selling the franchise to another local business interest who could privately purchase a parcel of land and fully fund the build of a new arena."

Would be a little outta left field for me.

There’s a rumor of three different local groups who could buy the team. Safe to think Ishiba is one of the three.

Knew about this a couple of days ago before Seravalli wrote about it.

 

[Major4Boarding]

Oh shit! Two weeks... FOR REAL!

 

[TheLegend]

Aren't the Suns tied to downtown until 2037?

Technically yes.

But Ishiba buying the Yotes wouldn’t be much different than if Smith (in SLC) buys and parks them at Delta Center while he tries to get a new barn. Seating capacities are about the same for both arenas but for the league it means keeping the Coyotes in Arizona.

 

[Ernie]

The funny thing is that Glendale would be seen as the obvious option if Bettman / Meruelo hadn't thoroughly burned their bridges there. But who knows, maybe another owner might make some headway...

But at this time all signs point to SLC.