Glendale will end its lease with Arizona CoyotesGila Arena will be closed for the 2021-22 seasons, as announced by the city in a Thursday statement.
For the last 18 seasons, the Coyotes played in the Gila River Arena. The sides are currently operating under year-by-year contracts since 2016 and cannot find a longer-term solution.
Kevin Phelps, the city manager, stated in a statement the decision to end the Coyotes’ operating agreement was made not in an instant.
The city released a statement saying that it had decided to end the operation agreement with the Arizona Coyotes after focusing on bigger, more influential events.
Alex Meurelo became the majority opener of the Coyotes in 2019 The NHL Board of Governors approved the move. Gary Bettman, the commissioner of the Coyotes introduced Meruelo to the group as the one he felt would provide a long-term solution for the arena and help keep them in Arizona.
Bettman’s 2019 assessment of Meruelo was that he is “committed to trying to find a new area in the correct location, and making this work.” He’s an individual of considerable means, and he is very skilled — when you take a look at his professional career — in turning around businesses to make them succeed. It’s a positive thing for Arizona and the Coyotes.
However, the arena uncertainty is certain to increase relocation rumors for Coyotes who have been affected by them for many years.
Bettman has kept the Coyotes in Arizona. Houston, however, is the city that the NHL has always been interested in if it were to relocate a team.
Bettman met in 2017 when the NHL was exploring adding a 32nd NHL team. Houston RocketsTilman Fertitta will explore the possibility of putting a team at Houston’s Toyota Center.