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March 29, 2010
Coyotes bidders drop subsidy demands on Glendale
The Glendale, Arizona city council is set to review two new lease proposals from the ownership groups vying to take over the NHL-owned Phoenix Coyotes — though "vying" may be an overstatement, given that both Ice Edge Holdings and Jerry Reinsdorf are looking for major subsidies in order to grace Glendale with their presence. Globe and Mail writer David Shoalts further reports that Reinsdorf is looking for an escape clause that would let him break any lease if revenue and ticket sales weren't up to his lofty standards.
Shoalts further reports that Glendale might not be able to offer significant lease breaks even if it wants to:
- An Arizona state supreme court ruling in January outlawed any subsidies that don't result in "direct public benefits."
- The conservative Goldwater Institute has threatened to sue if the city gives the Coyotes any lease breaks.
- Glendale is flat broke.
The only thing for sure, it seems, is that this isn't going to end well. Unless, just maybe, you live in Winnipeg.
Sad thing is, what's gonna happen to that sparkling new arena they built out there? Will they convert it into a smaller one? Turn part of it into retail space and convert some of the skyboxes into hotel rooms?
Posted by kingmanIII on March 29, 2010 11:47 AM
Hey, got an idea....the world's biggest outhouse! (Got that from Mad Magazine)
Posted by Marty on March 29, 2010 06:23 PM
They could always strap it to some helicopters and trade arena's with Winnipeg !
Posted by Jonny on March 29, 2010 09:08 PM
Reinsdorf should buy the Coyotes and move them to Vega$! Talk about what's good for the game and NHL!
Posted by Tony D. on March 30, 2010 01:29 AM
Makes as much sense as putting another hockey team in New York...and we already have too many. Even KC makes more sense...and that's basketball country.
Posted by Transic on March 30, 2010 08:09 PM
Where is the owner of the Arizona Cardinals? How come he hasn't step up to offer to buy the Coyotes?
Posted by Daniel Francis on April 4, 2010 02:26 AM
The Coyotes are now very good but still dead last in attendance.
Over 41 home games it is has been evident this is a damn good team from home game #10 and yet the fans sit at home.
Get this team out of Phoenix and to an area where the fans appreciate a winner. This team is young, talented, and will be a force for the next 5 years.
I guess people in the desert as as "dumb" as what people say.
Posted by Sid on April 5, 2010 03:34 PM