Mat Ishbia Eyes Hockey's Return to Arizona
In a dynamic shift set to reshape the sports landscape in Arizona, Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury owner Mat Ishbia has expressed a keen interest in reinstating professional hockey in the state. This announcement comes on the heels of the Arizona Coyotes' planned relocation to Salt Lake City after the 2023-24 season, heralding the arrival of the Utah Hockey Club in 2025-26.
The Impact of Coyotes' Departure
The Coyotes' exit marks a significant change for Arizona sports enthusiasts. From 2022 to 2024, the team played their home games at the 5,000-seat Mullett Arena located on Arizona State University's campus in Tempe. The decision for the Coyotes to move away has left a void in the Arizona sports market, one that Ishbia is eager to fill.
"I'm definitely going to be part of the community, and if I can help bring hockey back, I'll look at that. It's definitely something I'm interested in. It's a four-sport town. I'm disappointed we don't have a hockey team, but I understand what happened, and we're going to try to fix that one day," Ishbia remarked to Sportico.
Footprint Center's Role
Ishbia's ambition to resurrect professional hockey in Arizona is anchored in the recent development around the Footprint Center, home to the Phoenix Mercury. The arena recently hosted the WNBA All-Star Game, showcasing its capacity to handle high-profile sports events. Furthermore, a $100 million women's practice facility has been constructed behind the Footprint Center, underscoring Ishbia's commitment to providing top-tier facilities for professional athletes.
Ishbia has considerable experience in team ownership and management. His portfolio already includes the Phoenix Suns, a known NBA powerhouse, and the Phoenix Mercury, a leading team in the WNBA. His leadership is anticipated to drive the proposed hockey team to success should his plans come to fruition.
Challenges and Opportunities
Alex Meruelo, the previous owner of the Coyotes, sold the team for a staggering $1.2 billion. This substantial transaction reflects the high stakes involved in owning and operating an NHL team. Ishbia will likely face numerous logistical and financial hurdles in his quest to bring a new hockey team to Arizona.
Ishbia has acknowledged that while the Footprint Center is currently a top-tier facility, the future may necessitate constructing a new arena to accommodate a hockey team. "I think our arena is first-class right now. I love our arena. But at some point, we're going to have to get a new arena," he stated.
Such an endeavor would not only require significant financial investment but also cooperation with local government and community stakeholders. The success of this venture hinges on ensuring that the infrastructure can support a new NHL team and that there is enthusiasm within the community for hockey's return.
The Phoenix Sports Scene
Integrating a professional hockey team within the already vibrant sports scene in Phoenix would complete the ecosystem for the city, which currently enjoys representation in major sports leagues including the NBA, WNBA, NFL, and MLB. Ishbia's vision of fostering a four-sport town underscores his broader commitment to enhancing the sports culture in Arizona.
The potential return of hockey to Arizona underlines an exciting period of growth and transformation for the state's sports franchises. Ishbia's proactive approach and his proven track record with existing teams suggest that he possesses the vision and drive needed to navigate this complex, yet promising, opportunity.
As plans take shape over the upcoming years, all eyes will be on how Mat Ishbia manages to steer this ambitious project, collectively boosting the morale of the Phoenix sports community and possibly setting the stage for a new era of hockey in Arizona.