There has been a shakeup in the leadership of the Arizona Coyotes, as Andrew Barroway has reportedly bought out the club’s minority owners.
Barroway, who originally purchased a majority share of the franchise in 2014, is reported to be making this decision at an important period. The Coyotes have sought to move from Gila River Arena in Glendale, and secure a new home elsewhere in Arizona. However those bids, including a proposed partnership with Arizona State University for a new arena in Tempe, have fallen short,.
The decision by Barroway is expected to affect the ongoing arena search. AZ Central, which said his decision to buy out the club’s minority owners “has been speculated about for months,” reported that Barroway is expected to seek a new CEO that will be involved in the push for a venue:
Barroway has closed on his purchase of the team’s minority owners, NHL sources confirmed Monday. And a search for a new CEO to lead the team and help with the organization’s search for a new arena has already begun.
Barroway wasn’t available for comment, a team spokesman said.
The NHL has weighed in on the matter, stating that Barroway’s action could put the Coyotes in a better position to remain in Arizona. More from ESPN:
“The reorganization is an effort to consolidate and strengthen the ownership and to resolve various disputes among the existing owners,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. “We believe this will better position the club to achieve a long-term solution in the Valley.”
Earlier this year, both the Coyotes and the NHL urged Arizona lawmakers to support a bill for a new arena, contending that the team’s financial situation was not viable and that Gila River Arena’s Glendale location put the team at a geographic disadvantage. Ultimately, as AZ Central notes, the proposal “ended up dying awaiting a vote.”
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