The Arizona Coyotes continue to work on obtaining a new arena in Arizona, according to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.
There has been considerable discussion about the future of the Coyotes, as team has made it known that it wants a new venue to replace Glendale’s Gila River Arena. An effort to construct a new arena as part of a partnership with Arizona State University fell short after ASU ended the arrangement, while later legislation to finance a new arena failed to gain support among Arizona lawmakers last year.
Despite the fact that the team has not landed a new arena, Bettman says that the Coyotes are continuing to work on a solution. Rather than seek to move, Bettman expects that the club will remain in Arizona. More from Arizona Sports:
During media availability at the NHL All-Star Skills Competition in Tampa Bay, Fla., NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was asked if a timeline existed for how long the Coyotes could remain in Glendale without a permanent solution for an arena.
Bettman said that [Coyotes owner Andrew] Barroway is continuing to work on the possibilities for a new arena in Arizona, adding that the “strength or resilience or persistence of a club depends on ownership’s willingness to continue the pursuit.”
“My hope and expectation is that things can be worked out in Arizona, and we’re going to continue to focus on it that way,” Bettman said.
The Coyotes have previously proposed that the new arena be constructed in either Phoenix or East Valley, contending that it would be better for their financial outlook. The team has played at Gila River Arena since 2003.
