CXLVIII - Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo had 'productive' meeting with Phoenix mayor

[Melrose Munch]

And? That doesn't do a damn thing to interfere with the auction. That, as I said, will go forward, whether the current Coyotes team is playing in Mullett or Delta Center next year. Either way, Meruelo appears to be planning to win the auction with an eye towards building an entertainment district with an arena for a Phoenix-based NHL team; the only question appears to be whether he will be operating that team in the intervening years or not.

There is no incentive to build an arena if the team leaves. That's why Coyotes fans (and rightfully so) are at this news.

 

[Tom ServoMST3K]

This is why Tempe failed imo.

They got massively out-spent in that battle too.

 

[OG6ix]

This is why Tempe failed imo.

Yeah I mean that was the real nail IMHO being voted down by the public was a bad look. If the idiots didn't try to strong arm Glendale like idiots in sure the perception would have been different.if I'm the NHL I wouldn't want these guys anywhere near a new Arizona franchise. My guess is they put language in there that say they will consider the group for expansion if suitable arena is met within a time frame and a bunch of other caveats they don't believe will get done.

 

[Dr Pepper]

He has an out..... his "sources".

He's just reporting what he's been told.

He sure is.

Quite a bit today, too.

I'd laugh so hard though, if Keller or Crouse came out in response and said Frank was full of shit and they hadn't heard anything.

 

[TheLegend]

This is why Tempe failed imo.

Yep.... he hired some local political advisors but they missed reading the room badly.

Advisors got paid though.

 

[Whileee]

I posted this on the main board thread (and probably somewhere in this section too) but moving the Coyotes to SLC (I always thought it'd be Houston because of Fertitta's reluctance to pay an expansion fee) and then expanding to Arizona when they do have an arena ready makes perfect sense.

The NHL only has 28 big league markets because of WPG/CGY/EDM/OTT who have no buisness being big league cities if it weren't for hockey. The other big 3 leagues all have 30+. So it makes sense that the NHL wants to get SLC, HOU, and ATL, while keeping AZ, and then add one more for an even 36.

How does SLC qualify as "big league" compared to the Canadian cities you listed?

 

[Melrose Munch]

I think he's confident on the auction. The reports are something he can't control.

I can also tell you IF he has a deal in place where they move this team to SLC and get him a expansion team in 3-4 years the majority of fans won't accept Meruelo as an owner. No matter how much work he put in to keep them here the last 4 years.

I mean this isn't like Canada internet trolls. This is likely two sources. I think that if this is not legit, the coyotes will deny it soon. The second point you make is so right... and they shouldn't! This is a scam IMO. I feel like the Coyotes will leave, he wins the auction, and he builds a supermall, much less headache.

I hope I'm wrong, and you keep the team.

How does SLC qualify as "big league" compared to the Canadian cities you listed?

It does to the NHL BOG, that is all that matters.

 

[TheLegend]

I mean this isn't like Canada internet trolls. This is likely two sources. I think that if this is not legit, the coyotes will deny it soon. The second point you make is so right... and they shouldn't! This is a scam IMO. I feel like the Coyotes will leave, he wins the auction, and he builds a supermall, much less headache.

I hope I'm wrong, and you keep the team.

So far it's been crickets.

Their Twitter account is acting like business as usual.
(EDIT: and that's enraging the fans even more, but what are they going to do??)

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

I'll be honest man I have no idea what you're even arguing, or it's relevance to an NBA team in Vancouver.

We seem to be in agreement that an NHL team is better off owning their AHL affiliate, no?

Because Vancouver NBA has been asked and answered.....the Canucks couldn't keep both financially..... as to the 2nd point, not all affiliates are owned and operated since 2015, and that's why there was no AHL Pacific prior to that year....

 

[LPHabsFan]

So far it's been crickets.

Their Twitter account is acting like business as usual.

If I understand what you're saying, the Coyotes twitter account did "sort of deny it". Depends if you consider this a "denial".

 

[canuckster19]

I posted this on the main board thread (and probably somewhere in this section too) but moving the Coyotes to SLC (I always thought it'd be Houston because of Fertitta's reluctance to pay an expansion fee) and then expanding to Arizona when they do have an arena ready makes perfect sense.

The NHL only has 28 big league markets because of WPG/CGY/EDM/OTT who have no buisness being big league cities if it weren't for hockey. The other big 3 leagues all have 30+. So it makes sense that the NHL wants to get SLC, HOU, and ATL, while keeping AZ, and then add one more for an even 36.

That's a weird take, if that were true than are the other 3 leagues are witholding franchises from Vancouver and Montreal with extreme bias or something?

 

[Voight]

If I understand what you're saying, the Coyotes twitter account did "sort of deny it". Depends if you consider this a "denial".

PR department working overtime today

 

[TheLegend]

If I understand what you're saying, the Coyotes twitter account did "sort of deny it". Depends if you consider this a "denial".

They've been putting that stuff out for a while. And at this point (given the news today) it's pissing the fans off more.

They're in a difficult spot. If they are truly pushing forward with their original plan to win the auction and build an ED then they have to toe the line with it.

Short of Alex Meruelo actually issuing a press conference in person and answering to it, nothing is going to change.

 

[awfulwaffle]

This is why Tempe failed imo.

Yet he was able to snag casino's in nevada?

 

[Melrose Munch]

Yet he was able to snag casino's in nevada?

Nevada does not have a lobby class to slow things down like Arizona.

They've been putting that stuff out for a while. And at this point (given the news today) it's pissing the fans off more.

They're in a difficult spot. If they are truly pushing forward with their original plan to win the auction and build an ED then they have to toe the line with it.

Short of Alex Meruelo actually issuing a press conference in person and answering to it, nothing is going to change.

If I understand what you're saying, the Coyotes twitter account did "sort of deny it". Depends if you consider this a "denial".

Not a denial, that's a generic promotion.

Merulo sucks.

 

[TheLegend]

Not a denial, that's a promot.

Merulo sucks.

Word is Alex Meruelo, Jr. uses the account at times.

 

[hockeyguy0022]

This IS the governor's trying to get AM to take the deal they have on the table.

League won't get mad, because Frank got it from them lol. It's just politicking and public opinion.

They gave AM a good deal to sell, make a bit of money, maybe have a team in the future, now they're sabotaging public support.

Makes perfect sense.

SLC is still a weird destination though. I liked Houston, Quebec, Hamilton/2nd southern Ontario,etc..

 

[NYI365]

NHL, Arizona Coyotes preparing for possible relocation to Utah

The NHL and the Arizona Coyotes are preparing for the possibility of a move to Utah as soon as April 18, multiple sources confirmed Wednesday.

www.sportsnet.ca

 

[Dr Pepper]

If I understand what you're saying, the Coyotes twitter account did "sort of deny it". Depends if you consider this a "denial".

What a tag line, "Hockey the Hard Way".

That's been the Coyotes franchise in a nutshell; just one slapshot to the nuts after another.

 

[Melrose Munch]

Word is Alex Meruelo, Jr. uses the account at times.

Makes too much sense and explains a lot.

 

[Tawnos]

NHL, Arizona Coyotes preparing for possible relocation to Utah

The NHL and the Arizona Coyotes are preparing for the possibility of a move to Utah as soon as April 18, multiple sources confirmed Wednesday.

www.sportsnet.ca

The main quote there IMO:

The NHL is working as the broker, handling negotiations with both current Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo and prospective Utah steward Ryan Smith. Initially, the hope was to let the June 27 auction play out, but two concerns emerged: first, about what would happen if the Meruelo lost the auction, and second, the possibility of three more seasons at Mullett Arena. There wasn’t much enthusiasm for the latter.

Multiple sources indicate a real scenario is Meruelo being paid $1 billion for the team, and Smith paying $1.2 billion to purchase. But the real key is what the NHL will promise Meruelo to avoid this ending up in court.

Those same sources indicate he could be offered a five-year exclusive window to “bring back” the Coyotes as an expansion franchise — although there would be certain language stating what would need to be accomplished for him to return. (The league definitely desires a return to the market if it leaves.)

 

[Brodie]

if the concern is that AM might lose the auction AND that three more years in Mullet are unacceptable then imo that is confirmation that this is over. The NHL isn't here for it. They're giving AM an out and I'm sure they will offer some sweetners to try and keep the auction going. But you can't fight city hall and if Gary and co. are out then it's just a waiting game to dot the i's and cross the t's

 

[objectiveposter]

Does anyone remember how much AM paid for the team, and have a rough idea how much he has lost in operating the team? Im guessing the total is much less than a billion, which means AM could simply sell the team and pocket a few hundred million in profit and move on with his life.

 

[gstommylee]

if the concern is that AM might lose the auction AND that three more years in Mullet are unacceptable then imo that is confirmation that this is over. The NHL isn't here for it. They're giving AM an out and I'm sure they will offer some sweetners to try and keep the auction going. But you can't fight city hall and if Gary and co. are out then it's just a waiting game to dot the i's and cross the t's

the team was never fighting scotsdale cause ITS NOT scotsdale land.

 

[Melrose Munch]

the team was never fighting scotsdale cause ITS NOT scotsdale land.

They are not fighting with anyone, other than the state. Tommy. Let's stop pointing fingers. They don't think Merulo will win. He probably wants out.