The deal allowing the Arizona Coyotes to play at Arizona State University's new arena starting in the fall was officially agreed to on Wednesday night, reports Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports.
More details about the deal, which were confirmed and/or provided by ASU CFO Morgan Olsen, were also cited in Morgan's story:
• The deal allows the Coyotes to play at the arena for the next three seasons, with an option for a fourth if their new arena is not ready.
• Approval for the Coyotes permanent home has stalled as the city of Tempe has asked the team for clarification on some of the plan's details.
• Seating capacity for NHL games will be 4,700, a portion of which will be set aside for discounted student tickets.
• Construction of a $19.7-million (U.S.) dressing-room and training annex for the Coyotes – NCAA rules prohibit pro and college teams from sharing training facilities – has begun with framing and pouring of concrete. However, the annex is not scheduled to be completed until December, which means the Coyotes (and visiting NHL teams) might be forced to use an attached community arena that will be upgraded to standard in the interim.
• The deal reportedly does not have an opt-out clause, which could be an issue if Tempe does not approve the Coyotes' arena proposal.
• ASU will get all parking revenue, and naming-rights and sponsorship revenue from the arena. This means any sponsorship brought in by the Coyotes will be temporarily affixed to the outside and inside of the arena during game days.
• On game days, the Coyotes will to keep gate receipts and revenue from team merchandise sales, plus "a share of concession revenue and game-day sponsorships."
• At centre ice, Olsen said, “You should anticipate that both team identities will be reflected,” which could be interpreted to mean that both the Sun Devils and Coyotes logos will be displayed during NHL games.
The Coyotes are in search of a new arena after their lease with their current facility, the Gila River Arena in Glendale, was terminated by the city in August. The team had been operating on a year-by-year basis since 2016. As first reported by The Athletic, the City threatened in December to lock out the Coyotes unless outstanding tax and arena bills were paid. The team reportedly subsequently settled its accounts.
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