StreetHawk
Registered User
- Sep 30, 2017
- 29,231
- 11,330
Realistically, the 2 NBA owners IMO will decide the NHL in both markets. All of those years of AZ not being able to get something done in their desired location, I don't see an NHL team getting their own arena. I think it's got to be shared with the NBA team. Suns are only into year 3 of their 15 year lease extension at Footprint this season.Arizona, as you said, already has a hockey culture, but I would also say it's hard to ignore Houston, it being the largest market without a NHL franchise. I think the league wants *both* HOU and ARI, but I also think Fertitta's hemming and hawing about the fee is part of what spawned this. Make no mistake, the league will go back to Phoenix, but I think they're being used right now to leverage Fertitta to shut up and pay.
So, the NHL needs Ishbia to pay their price. Same as they need Fertitta to as well in Houston.
These are both large markets. It's the reality of trying to get into a market with an NBA team. If the NBA owner doesn't play ball ala Smith in Utah, then the circumstances need to be right for someone to want to do what the ATL groups are doing.