Maricopa county committee formed to bring NHL back to Arizona

[LadyStanley]

Just when you thought the story was dead....

Click to read more...

 

[Takuto Maruki]

I mean, lets be real, nothing's happening on this front until a potential party that has been *insanely* vetted and has a plan locked down has been found. But did people seriously think that the NHL was going to leave a top 25 market in terms of TV and population off the table, much like Atlanta?

 

[LadyStanley]

 

[GKJ]

I never thought the story is dead and never will ever expect it to be.

I mean, let’s be real, nothing's happening on this front until a potential party that has been *insanely* vetted and has a plan locked down has been found. But did people seriously think that the NHL was going to leave a top 25 market in terms of TV and population off the table, much like Atlanta?

If you look around this website, very obviously yes.

 

[TheLegend]

Just when you thought the story was dead....

Note that this is Maricopa County and NOT the City of Phoenix.

MariCo is already fighting with the Diamondbacks over Chase Field and could still lose them within the next 4-5 years (if not sooner)

There is a TON of things that would have to fall into place for this to happen.

 

[TheLegend]

A little more detail here (although there's not much):

Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Galvin announces formation of committee to bring NHL back to Arizona

Newly elected Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Galvin is forming an advisory committee of political and business leaders dedicated to bringing the NHL back to the Phoenix metro area.

arizonainsider.substack.com

 

[Zirakzigil]

Note that this is Maricopa County and NOT the City of Phoenix.

MariCo is already fighting with the Diamondbacks over Chase Field and could still lose them within the next 4-5 years (if not sooner)

There is a TON of things that would have to fall into place for this to happen.

Oh but the nhl is gunna try

 

[Takuto Maruki]

If you look around this website, very obviously yes.

A vast majority of this site (especially on the main board) and a small group of people here with major axes to grind after years [mod]. And if anything, the failures of Atlanta 2.0 and Phoenix ultimately inform their decisions and actions now (to great success, as shown by early returns with VGK and SEA)

 

[Yukon Joe]

Just when you thought the story was dead....

I think we're past the "megathread" category, but I don't think there's any question that, given the right circumstances, the NHL would like to be in Arizona - it is #10 in largest metro areas by population (depends on how yo count it). Only Houston and Atlanta are larger - and the NHL would very much like to be in those cities as well.

 

[toddkaz]

Buffalo Sabres has to be about ready to move. Pegula sell them and get out of the NHL

 

[Takeahnase]

As you all know, in business and government if you want to get something done you form a committee.

 

[AZDesertKnight]

I love the Dbacks but i'd happily trade them and the land Chase Field lives on as a new site for a Suns/NHL combo arena.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Don’t see anything happening until shovels in the ground first for an arena, they’ve been burnt too many times.
if you build it, seems like NHL would return

 

[Yukon Joe]

Buffalo Sabres has to be about ready to move. Pegula sell them and get out of the NHL

Pegula is a huge Buffalo guy. He's also worth $7 billion.

Even if he were to sell (which I think highly unlikely) he'd never let them be moved from Buffalo.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

I fail to see a single realistic scenario in the next decade that doesn't involve Ishbia.

 

[toddkaz]

Pegula is a huge Buffalo guy. He's also worth $7 billion.

Even if he were to sell (which I think highly unlikely) he'd never let them be moved from Buffalo.

You would be surprised. He doesn't spend to the cap, he cut a load of staff to save money. Thats not someone trying to win a cup.

 

[StreetHawk]

I fail to see a single realistic scenario in the next decade that doesn't involve Ishbia.

Would agree. Think Suns and NHL team have to be in the same arena if the NHL returns. So, likely a decade away.

 

[Tom Polakis]

You would be surprised. He doesn't spend to the cap, he cut a load of staff to save money. Thats not someone trying to win a cup.

That team will fit right in here.

I think 32 is exactly the right number of teams, but I wouldn't complain if the NHL expanded into Phoenix. The all-too-obvious fallacy with "hockey doesn't work in Arizona" is that it has worked in Dallas, Florida, and Vegas, among other southern places.

 

[No Fun Shogun]

Them forming a committee could mean anything from an empty gesture to appeal to Yotes fan voters to a meaningful attempt to try to get a team back with massive subsidies or a major appeal to corporate interests to get involved. Can't read much into it, albeit my hunch is that the reality is closer to the former than the latter.

 

[Llama19]

From the Arizona Republic...

Will pro hockey return to the desert? Maricopa County wants to entice NHL

To quote:

"Maricopa County will form an advisory committee to explore options to bring professional hockey back to the Valley after the region lost the Arizona Coyotes last year.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Galvin said the team's relocation to Utah was "a low point." It marked the first time a professional franchise in a so-called "big four" sport left Arizona.

He — and heartbroken fans — are now hopeful they can entice the National Hockey League to return to the desert. Billionaire Alex Meruelo, former owner of the Arizona Coyotes, retains the right to reactivate if he can construct a new, state-of-the-art facility up to NHL standards within five years.

"I cringed when local politicians took glee in the demise of our hockey team," Galvin said. "I think of Wayne Gretzky's quote: 'You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.' So, I'm forming an advisory committee of visionary leaders."

The move — unprecedented for the county — was announced during the board's first meeting of the year. Galvin said he has spoken with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. Galvin said Bettman was "supportive" of working with the county.

An NHL spokesperson said the league was "advised in advance of this initiative."

"We are pleased there continues to be interest in having NHL hockey in the Valley," said the spokesperson, who declined to be named.

It's unclear exactly who will serve on the body, and when it will begin talks with the league. Galvin said the committee is "in formation" and that he expects to release further details "soon.""

Source: www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2025/01/06/will-nhl-go-back-arizona/77484156007/

 

[TheLegend]

From the Arizona Republic...

Will pro hockey return to the desert? Maricopa County wants to entice NHL

To quote:

"Maricopa County will form an advisory committee to explore options to bring professional hockey back to the Valley after the region lost the Arizona Coyotes last year.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Galvin said the team's relocation to Utah was "a low point." It marked the first time a professional franchise in a so-called "big four" sport left Arizona.

He — and heartbroken fans — are now hopeful they can entice the National Hockey League to return to the desert. Billionaire Alex Meruelo, former owner of the Arizona Coyotes, retains the right to reactivate if he can construct a new, state-of-the-art facility up to NHL standards within five years.

"I cringed when local politicians took glee in the demise of our hockey team," Galvin said. "I think of Wayne Gretzky's quote: 'You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.' So, I'm forming an advisory committee of visionary leaders."

The move — unprecedented for the county — was announced during the board's first meeting of the year. Galvin said he has spoken with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. Galvin said Bettman was "supportive" of working with the county.

An NHL spokesperson said the league was "advised in advance of this initiative."

"We are pleased there continues to be interest in having NHL hockey in the Valley," said the spokesperson, who declined to be named.

It's unclear exactly who will serve on the body, and when it will begin talks with the league. Galvin said the committee is "in formation" and that he expects to release further details "soon.""

Source: www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2025/01/06/will-nhl-go-back-arizona/77484156007/

"Two weeks" lives!!

The article has one glaring error. Meruelo no longer holds the rights to an Arizona franchise.
[already notified the author]

 

[KJoe88]

No more teams.

Jesus. Enough.

 

[stealth1]

That team will fit right in here.

I think 32 is exactly the right number of teams, but I wouldn't complain if the NHL expanded into Phoenix. The all-too-obvious fallacy with "hockey doesn't work in Arizona" is that it has worked in Dallas, Florida, and Vegas, among other southern places.

I laugh cause IMO chasing TV is what's hurt the NHL more than anything else first of all. Second of all regular TV is dead. It's heading to streaming. The biggest reason I hate the NHL chasing these major TV cities is they all need too much to go right for them to work.

The reason it worked in Dallas and Vegas right away was they won and the arena was in good locations. Florida has been bottom in attendance and TV til they won the cup. Even Carolina wasn't doing well til they won the cup and were a consistent playoff team.

 

[eojsmada]

Build an arena and the NHL will be all ears, but not until then.

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

Note that this is Maricopa County and NOT the City of Phoenix.

MariCo is already fighting with the Diamondbacks over Chase Field and could still lose them within the next 4-5 years (if not sooner)

There is a TON of things that would have to fall into place for this to happen.

They need to be arrested for other stuff I won't get into. All I gotta say is they are corrupt