Rendering: Tempe Entertainment District
Tempe, Arizona residents went to the polls on Tuesday to vote on the Tempe Entertainment District referendum, which included the right for the Arizona Coyotes to build a new arena within the proposed district. Unfortunately for the Coyotes and the NHL, Tempe voters resoundingly rejected the referendum, 57% to 43%.
“We are very disappointed Tempe voters did not approve Propositions 301, 302, and 303. As Tempe Mayor Corey Woods said, it was the best sports deal in Arizona history,” said Coyotes president & CEO Xavier A.Gutierrez Tuesday night.
VIDEO @ArizonaCoyotes‘ CEO Xavier Gutierrez concedes defeat. pic.twitter.com/DOGaWoG5uR
— Brahm Resnik (@brahmresnik) May 17, 2023
“The Coyotes wish to thank everyone who supported our efforts and voted yes. So many community leaders stepped up and became our advocates and for that we are truly grateful. We also wish to thank the countless volunteers who worked so hard to try and make the Tempe Entertainment District a reality and the Tempe City Council for their support as well. While we wanted a different outcome, we remain grateful to all those who volunteered their time and talent. What is next for the franchise will be evaluated by our owners and the National Hockey League over the coming weeks,” added Gutierrez.
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— Clayton Keller (@ClaytonKeller37) May 17, 2023
In a statement, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the league is “terribly disappointed by the public referenda regarding the Coyotes’ arena project in Tempe.”
The $2.1 billion project would have created a 16,000-seat arena, practice rink, 300,000 square feet of upscale retail, 1,600 apartments, two hotels and a theater.
The Coyotes played its first season at Arizona State’s 5,000-seat Mullett Arena, by far the NHL’s smallest arena. The Coyotes and ASU have a deal for the pro team to play two more years at the arena with an option for 2025-26.
The Coyotes have been searching for a permanent home since the city of Glendale pulled out of a multimillion-dollar lease at Gila River Arena. Arizona had been playing on an annual lease until Glendale said it would not be renewed for the 2022-23 season.
The Coyotes began play in the state in the 1996-97 season after relocating from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The Coyotes have faced financial difficulties for decades, including a bankruptcy filing by former owners in 2009. After the NHL controlled the franchise for several years, hedge-fund manager Andrew Barroway purchased a controlling interest in 2014.
Billionaire Alex Meruelo purchased controlling interest in 2019 and became sole owner in 2023 when Barroway was banned indefinitely from the league after he was charged with felony strangulation and assault in Aspen, Colo.