Skip to content

Phoenix mayor contacts Coyotes about potential return to downtown arena

Kirby Lee / Reuters

As the Arizona Coyotes prepare for a legal battle with the city of Glendale over the decision to nullify the team's lease at Gila River Arena, the mayor of Phoenix is reaching out to the organization.

Mayor Greg Stanton contacted the Coyotes after Glendale city council voted 5-2 in favor of ending the lease agreement on Wednesday night.

"After the vote, I appropriately reached out to representatives of the Coyotes (and) I reached out to the Phoenix Suns and asked if they would be willing to at least engage in conversation, and both sides want to engage in conversation," Stanton told local radio station Arizona Sports 98.7 on Friday.

"We're at a very preliminary stage, but ... of course the Coyotes should pursue all regional options to stay here in the Valley of the Sun."

Stanton confirmed that the club is considering a potential return to his city.

"I know that the team is going to be pursuing conversations with the city of Phoenix relative to our building, US Airways Arena - soon to be Talking Stick Resort Arena - in downtown Phoenix."

The Coyotes played in that facility upon relocating from Winnipeg in 1996, before moving to Glendale in 2003. The Suns have used the arena since it opened in 1992.

The mayor said he views the hockey club as a valuable commodity and he wants to keep it in the metropolitan area.

"It would be only smart of (the Coyotes ownership group) to pursue all opportunities," Stanton said. "I don't know how it's going to end up ... but I don't want to lose any important regional assets, and I view the Coyotes as an important regional asset."

- With h/t to Pro Hockey Talk

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox