Utah is number 1 in increased value.

[Jakey53]

That guy went from hero to zero fairly quickly and ultimately to the end of the Coyotes. Kinda wonder if Betman kinda forced the whole deal with his public proclamation that they couldn't stay in Glendale?? Either was Meruelo was a slimeball and unfortunately it paid of for him.

Bettman got tired of the political climate in Arizona. The NHL or any new investor won't touch AZ until that changes, and GB said as much.

 

[TheLegend]

How did you come up with that number for Meruelo?

Took on at least 300 million in debt acquiring the Coyotes. Lost an estimated 60 million per year over five years. Add in the 7 million spent trying to get TED passed..... another 40 million getting Mullett up to minimum NHL standards...... 2 million payout to youth hockey on exit.... payout to Barroway's "reported" 5% ownership share, etc...... etc......

It adds up fast, Jakey.

 

[TheLegend]

That guy went from hero to zero fairly quickly and ultimately to the end of the Coyotes. Kinda wonder if Betman kinda forced the whole deal with his public proclamation that they couldn't stay in Glendale?? Either was Meruelo was a slimeball and unfortunately it paid of for him.

Bettman turned his back on Glendale the day they terminated IceArizona's 15-year lease that provided an extra $9 million to the team with little guarantee they'd see a return.

This after he talked them into paying $50 million out to the league for running the franchise for two of the four years they owned them.

So if you were to look at it purely from Glendale's POV, you can understand why Glendale had to take the stand they did after Meruelo tried to strong arm them. The arena was due for a major refit of the 20 year old ice system (a backup chiller unit had already failed, and both units were obsolete) and they weren't about to sink tens of millions into it if the Coyotes were not willing to stay long term.

IOW.... the league was all for Glendale right up until Glendale finally decided not to subsidize the franchise anymore.

Meruelo knew all about this going in. He knew there were at least two attempts to move to across town before he bought the team. Where he screwed up is thinking he could deal with the AZ political world just like he already could in California and Nevada.

Big mistake.

 

[Jakey53]

Bettman turned his back on Glendale the day they terminated IceArizona's 15-year lease that provided an extra $9 million to the team with little guarantee they'd see a return.

This after he talked them into paying $50 million out to the league for running the franchise for two of the four years they owned them.

So if you were to look at it purely from Glendale's POV, you can understand why Glendale had to take the stand they did after Meruelo tried to strong arm them. The arena was due for a major refit of the 20 year old ice system (a backup chiller unit had already failed, and both units were obsolete) and they weren't about to sink tens of millions into it if the Coyotes were not willing to stay long term.

IOW.... the league was all for Glendale right up until Glendale finally decided not to subsidize the franchise anymore.

Meruelo knew all about this going in. He knew there were at least two attempts to move to across town before he bought the team. Where he screwed up is thinking he could deal with the AZ political world just like he already could in California and Nevada.

Big mistake.

The NHL won't touch Arizona until there is a change in personal and thinking.