Now the organization has to shift gears yet again after voters rejected a proposed new arena. The Coyotes' temporary solution was to share Mullett Arena, a 5,000-seat building that's by far the smallest in the NHL, with Arizona State University. The Coyotes leased the arena on an annual basis until Glendale announced it was terminating the contract after the 2021-22 season. When former owner Jerry Moyes took the Coyotes into bankruptcy, the NHL stepped in and ran the organization for four seasons.Ī new ownership group brought hope in 2013, but turmoil resurfaced two years later, when the city of Glendale backed out of a long-term, multimillion-dollar lease agreement. The franchise shared then-America West Arena with the NBA's Phoenix Suns before moving to Glendale's Gila River Arena in 2003. The Coyotes have faced instability almost since moving to Arizona from Winnipeg in 1996. “We are going to review with the Coyotes what the options might be going forward.”

“The National Hockey League is terribly disappointed by the results of the public referendum regarding the Coyotes’ arena project in Tempe,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. Voters had other ideas, overwhelmingly saying “no” to the proposed $2.3 billion Tempe Entertainment District, leaving the franchise still in a state of flux. The Coyotes' internal polling showed the three propositions related to the arena would pass easily.

'What is next for the franchise will be evaluated by our owners and the National Hockey League over the coming weeks,” Coyotes President and CEO Xavier A.

When Tempe voters said no in Tuesday's election, the team was left in shock and with no clear path to the future.

Not Many Options by Jillian West