Coyotes say they have identified 6 possible new arena locations

Nashville—— arizona coyotes Said they were looking at six sites to build an arena and entertainment complex. The public voted down their bid to build one in Tempe.

“We’re looking at several options. We’ve had conversations with a dozen sites. We think six of them will move to the next step,” Coyotes Chief Executive Xavier Gutierrez said Wednesday. “We are committed to still having a privately funded sports and entertainment district. We were disappointed by the Tempe vote, but we quickly turned the page. We re-engaged with multiple sites that we talked to before , we feel very confident that one of the many sites we put into service will bear fruit.”

The team is looking at East Valley sites in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Mesa and elsewhere, including sites on tribal lands. The team is considering private land as well as public land that the city might sell to the Coyotes.

Gutierrez told National Hockey League (NHL) Commissioner Gary Bettman that the Coyotes would avoid picking a location that would require a “public referendum” after losing the Tempe vote in May.

The Coyotes plan to build a new arena in Tempe as part of a $2.1 billion entertainment district was rejected by voters. The Coyotes are seeking to build a 16,000-seat arena and an entertainment area on city-owned land.

“I think the referendum has proven to be very difficult, not just for us,” Gutierrez said. “You look at the backlash that certain other sports teams have had, and obviously there’s an argument that it’s not Not something the public really wants approved by a vote. So we’re looking at other options.”

Bateman told SportsNet last week, “By midseason, we should have a good grasp of their situation. If we need to explore further options at that time, we will consult management and figure out how to do it.”

The team originally played in Phoenix, but played in Glendale from 2003 until last season, when the city council didn’t renew the arena lease. The Coyotes turned their attention to Tempe, which is closer to where most of the team’s fans live.

While awaiting approval and construction of their permanent home in Tempe, the Coyotes moved to the Mallet Arena on the ASU campus, which they share with the Sun Devils’ men’s lacrosse program.this NHL teams commit to playing at Mullett Arena Three seasons, with an option for a fourth.

Mullett Arena holds approximately 5,000 hockey fans, the smallest capacity in the NHL to date. The team invested $19.7 million in additional amenities to make the space NHL-ready, including NHL-quality locker rooms and practice facilities. The Coyotes have a better record at home (21-15-5) than on the road (7-25-9) in 2022-23.

“Playing at Mallett can only be a temporary solution. There will soon be a permanent solution,” Bateman said.