Having a pro sports team is a business. You want to make money. People forget sometimes that and the end of the day these are all businesses. No one is owning a pro sports team out of the goodness of their own heart. It is all about the dollar.
Right now, earning the dollar is not so strong with the Arizona Coyotes. That could lead to a different looking Pacific Division soon.
How bad are the state of things in Glendale?
Glendale's debt is 4.9% of it's tax base (that's 4x the US median). Over 40% of it's debt is paying for pro sports facilities.
— Stephen Burtch (@SteveBurtch) June 10, 2015That tweet coincides with the news today that Arizona may not be in Arizona much longer.
Glendale may vote Coyotes arena deal out http://t.co/FjqGN0ffDv @phxbizjournal Las Vegas take note: Careful what U wish 4
— GambLou (@GambLou) June 10, 2015at this point, it is all becoming a bit of a joke. Even to the Coyotes twitter team it seems
@TheFourthPeriod and there's also this: lol'd at the "Still in Glendale" location. pic.twitter.com/SeV8NouhC9
— DetroitSportsNation (@detsportsnation) June 10, 2015The Coyotes have had a troubled history of arena spats, poor attendance, and lack of political support from the local government and city council. Considering how much the tax base is losing on the team year after year, it is hard to really fault them for that. It is also hard to fault them when they hear the cries of people who want the team in Glendale, but then look at attendance from the last five years.
Arizona was 28th in average attendance at 13,345 a game. That is just 77% of their capacity of the 17,125 seat capacity Gila River Arena. The building remains one of the nicest and more modern building in the NHL to boot.
From Jerry Moyes (who went bankrupt in 2009) to the NHL, to IceArizona, to Andrew Barroway, a change in owners and investment groups has been the equivalent of re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.
It is sad, disappointing, but ultimately time for the NHL to cut bait on what has been a contentious franchise in a non-hockey market. Arizona has plenty of loyal fans and great hockey fans, but no change in logo or ownership looks to make a difference anymore.
Even the never say die attitude of Gary Bettman might be at a loss in this one. The City Council is apparently building a case for ending the lease agreement between the city and the team.
As sad as this all is, the end of one franchise would also see the probable birth of another pacific division team.
And wouldn't you know it, their are two very willing and able candidates right on the horizon.
First, Las Vegas. Yes, this one is a contentious one as well given the stigma around pro sports in Sin City.
The town itself has never had a pro sports team (No the XFL does not count), and after what has been rumored to be a successful season ticket probe that has reached 10,000 commitments, they look ready.
For those thinking that Arizona seems too familiar and too similar to that of Arizona/Glendale, you have to look outside the stereotypical southwestern cactus and desert cliches. Las Vegas is a city with lots of money, lots of high rollers, and plenty of people who would fork out the bucks to see the growing game of hockey right on the strip.
Move to the North now, into the quiet Pacific Northwest.
Seattle. A metropolis amongst the mountains, forests, and perpetual rain. It is a city that has always had excellent and dedicated fan support, be it the Mariners, SuperSonics, or the Sounders. It is not like hockey is unfamiliar either. Since 1977, when they were originally the Seattle Breakers, the Thunderbirds of the WHL have have made Washington their home.
And it is not just Seattle either. The Spokane Chiefs have been in the area since 1985. The Everett Silvertips, a mere thirty miles from Seattle, were established in 2003. How could you forget the 1988 born Tri-City Americans in nearby Kennewick. Or, of course, the southerly neighbor of Seattle and another under appreciated sports market, Portland. Their, the Portland Winterhawks have been going strong since 1951.
Safe to say, hockey culture is a big part of the Pacific Northwest. If it is not part of the NHL plans soon, it should be in the very near future. Is this the time for it? With so much uncertainty in Arizona and perceived risk in Las Vegas? They make a good case. It also sounds like they are doing their best to get an NHL arena as well..
Who knows what happens with Arizona, it seems like another very dark summer in a string of dark summers out in the desert. However, the NHL has plenty of viable options available, and will be available soon. With the Western Conference already behind 14-16 to the East in terms of number of teams, is it possible we see a relocation or two to even that up? Do we see expansion and relocation? What of Quebec City? And Hamilton? or a second team in Toronto or even Minnesota/Wisconsin? Saskatoon, Houston, Kansas City, heck let's get a team in Anchorage (just kidding on that one...). There are tons of possibilities for the NHL.
One thing that seems pretty clear, the Pacific division is probably going to have a pretty different look here in as little as five years, if not sooner. Arizona sadly cannot keep their head out of the fight, and they cannot get the support to win it either. Do they have Coyotes in Seattle?
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