The Coyotes will play at ASU arena for at least three seasons
The Arizona Coyotes have found their temporary home.
According to Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports, the Coyotes will spend at least the next three seasons at Arizona State University’s new multi-use facility while the organization works on a stadium project in downtown Tempe.
Morgan also reported that the Arizona Board of Regents, which is the governing body of Arizona’s public university system, has approved a plan that would see improvements built for the Coyotes and the NHL in ASU’s facility. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet added that the Coyotes will pay rent and for all upgrades at ASU upfront.
BREAKING: AZ Board of Regents has approved capital development plan for ASU's multi-purpose arena that includes Coyotes' added team areas at NE corner.
ASU will be Coyotes' temporary home for at least 3 seasons (approved for more) as they await word on proposed Tempe arena. pic.twitter.com/WU7KyT1K8u
The Coyotes have since issued a statement stating that they’ve reached an agreement with Arizona State University to play at their facility for 2022-23 through the 2024-25 season with an additional option for the 2025-26 season.
“This will be an incredible, intimate and exciting fan experience in a state-of-the-art new arena in a fantastic location in the heart of Tempe,” ” Coyotes President & CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez said. “We are very grateful to Dr. Crow, the ASU Administration, ASU Athletic Department, and the Arizona Board of Regents for agreeing to provide us with this temporary arena solution for our team as we continue our efforts to secure a long-term home for the Coyotes in the Valley.”
ASU’s facility, which is set to open in the fall of 2022, houses 5,000 fans, which is well below the standard for NHL arenas and is also well below the Coyotes’ average attendance figures for the 2021-22 season. While some NHL executives have reportedly voiced displeasure in the Coyotes playing out of a college-sized rink, the league has been supportive of this plan.
“We’re not sure they’re going to be a material difference between their revenues at ASU than where they’re at a level at Glendale,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said. “In fact, under one projection we’ve done, we think they may do better.”
The Coyotes were informed back in August that the City of Glendale would be opting out of the joint lease agreement for the Gila River Arena, meaning that the Coyotes would need to find somewhere else to play home games for the 2022-23 season and beyond.
Since then, rumors have swirled that the Coyotes could pack up and leave the desert, potentially relocating to Houston. But throughout those rumors, the Coyotes stated that the organization was committed to finding a long-term future in Arizona.
“We are thrilled that we have arranged to play our home games in Arizona State University’s new multi-purpose arena starting next season,” said Coyotes President & CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez. “This will be an incredible, intimate and exciting fan experience in a state-of-the-art new arena in a fantastic location in the heart of Tempe. We are very grateful to Dr. Crow, the ASU Administration, ASU Athletic Department, and the Arizona Board of Regents for agreeing to provide us with this temporary arena solution for our team as we continue our efforts to secure a long-term home for the Coyotes in the Valley.”
A big part of that plan involves building a $1.7 billion arena and entertainment district in downtown Tempe, a city just east of Phoenix that’s much more accessible than their current home in Glendale. The project hasn’t yet been given the green light by Tempe’s local government due in part to skepticism that stems from the Coyotes not paying some of their bills in the past.