Phoenix Coyotes Deal Approved by Glendale City Council, Keeps Franchise Locked -NHL Update
Where the Coyotes will be heading to play next time around is something that has been worrying the people of Phoenix all year long as a number of votes, referendums and petitions lengthened what could have been a prompt move.
It was a time to rejoice for the residents of Glendale, Arizona, as the city council approved the lease deal between the Phoenix National Hockey League (NHL) franchise and buyer, Greg Jamison.
The Glendale City Council approved the $320 million arena-management deal with Greg Jamison late Tuesday night and will now be giving him 30 to 60 days to complete his purchase of the hockey club. Currently, the league itself owns the team as previous owners
filed for bankruptcy earlier in 2009. Jamison is reported to now liable to give the league $170 million in order to have it shifted under his ownership.
"The major-league franchise has a very strong obligation to be a partner with the city it resides in," Jamison said, according to USA Today.
"Eight years and 11 months later, hopefully we are celebrating an event as important to our arena as the opening itself," Councilwoman Joyce Clark said.
Jamison is the former owner and CEO of the San Jose Sharks NHL franchise, which is based in the state of California. Some residents are still of the view that using so much tax payer money does not seem reasonable, but for others, keeping their team where
it belongs is much more important than that at any given time.
"I don't believe this is a sports issue; I believe this is an anchor tenant issue," said Councilwoman Yvonne Knaack, citing the shopping district where Jobing.com Arena is located, according to Yahoo. "Westgate is only 50 percent occupied, and I think people
are waiting in the wings to see what this decision is going to be."
Just a day earlier, fans were hoping for the Coyotes to stay right where they are as the city was preparing to vote and finally decide on the lingering issue, but diehard followers can now rest easy that they and their children will continue to see hockey
played at home.
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