The NHL’s Arizona Coyotes have renewed their lease at the Gila River Arena in Glendale for another season but the team’s long-term future remains in doubt.
The Coyotes have been linked with moves to a different part of the Phoenix area – and even to Houston – in recent years due to a desire to move to a bigger arena.
The one-year contract extension gives the Coyotes more time to survey their options but, as a local newspaper article reports, it “does nothing to secure the team in the city, or the state, for the long term”.
Coyotes’ president and CEO Ahron Cohen stated this week in an open letter to fans the team’s intention is to remain in Arizona for the foreseeable future.
“Every potential investment opportunity we evaluate and every business deal we consider is predicated on making our franchise successful here in Arizona for decades to come,” he wrote. “Arizona is our home. We love it here. And we love playing for you, the very best fans in the NHL.”
