Coyotes president Xavier Gutierrez made clear that an extension at Mullett Arena is not off the table if they are still in process of building a permanent home next year.
During the first intermission of the Arizona Coyotes and San Jose Sharks game on Thursday night, Xavier Gutierrez went on ESPN to discuss the situation regarding a new arena for the Coyotes.
Despite deeming Mullett Arena as a temporary solution as the Coyotes continue to search for a permanent home, Gutierrez did not rule out signing an extension at Mullett if they are unable to complete construction of a new arena in time.
“We already had negotiations with ASU about an extension to that, even when we were looking at the previous site in Tempe,” Gutierrez said about Mullett Arena. “Our goal is to do this as exponentially as possible…
The Coyotes are currently in the second year of a three-year contract at Mullett Arena which holds a capacity of about 5,000 people and is owned by Arizona State University.
The fact that Gutierrez is hinting at an extension means the NHL is continuing to be patient with the Coyotes and are willing to wait an extra year or two to ensure that hockey remains in Arizona.
A due date to pinpoint the specific location of the Coyotes new arena is reportedly by the start of the calendar year. Gutierrez continues to feel confident, the Coyotes will meet this deadline in time.
“Our goal is to shortly after the first of the year, really announce that one location we are going to move forward with and we feel very confident we will be able to make that announcement and as we made a commitment to Commissioner Bettman and the NHL, we hope to have a final resolution of this before the end of the year,” Gutierrez said.
The Coyotes strategy since removing to Mullett Arena in 2022 has been simple: Build a positive reputation through the team’s play on the ice and make an impact in the community in order to show their worth in the Valley.
“Day one, myself and Alex Meruelo said that this was going to be our number one priority,” Gutierrez said of the team’s search for a new arena. “We also knew this would be a turnaround of the entire franchise. We really had to build credibility, we really had to build reputation and we really focused around impact and leveraging this powerful voice that sports gives us and really make a difference in this community and to be present. To be part of not just the sports landscape, but the community landscape.”
All eyes will be on the Coyotes as they continue to zero in on a location for a permanent home in the Valley.