With the Coyotes future in Arizona still in question, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman gives positive update on the team's future.
The Arizona Coyotes are gaining traction on finding a permanent arena in the Valley.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman made clear that the Coyotes have multiple potential locations in the Phoenix area for a new arena and is confident the team will be able to find a long term home.
“They’re in the process of exploring the alternatives that they have in the Greater Phoenix Area, and they do have a number of options,” Bettman said in a conversation with Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. “I think by mid-season we should have a pretty good handle on what their situation is, and if we need to explore further options at that time, we’ll consult with management and figure out what to do.”
The Coyotes were originally going to build a Sports and Entertainment District in the city of Tempe but it was ultimately rejected in a special election vote on May 16.
While the Coyotes current home at Mullett Arena is a good short term solution for the team, Bettman knows that it's critical the organization finds a permanent home in the near future.
“Obviously, playing in Mullett has to be a temporary solution and there needs to be a permanent solution on the horizon,” Bettman said. “That’s something I know that [Coyotes owner] Alex Meruelo and [CEO] Xavier Gutierrez are very focused on and very optimistic.”
Rumors have circulated about the possibility of the Coyotes sharing the Footprint Center with the Phoenix Suns but Bettman prefaced that there have been no conversations of his knowledge between the Coyotes and Suns owner Mat Ishbia.
It's certainly a positive sign that the NHL and Coyotes at least have some sort of rough date to find a new arena in Arizona.
Only time will tell what the future holds for the Coyotes.