In a bold new chapter for Arizona sports, Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia is positioning himself at the crossroads of basketball and hockey. With a dynamic vision for the future, Ishbia is poised to bring an NHL team back to Arizona following the departure of the Arizona Coyotes.
The Departure of the Coyotes
As the 2023-24 NHL season comes to a close, the Arizona Coyotes are preparing for a significant relocation. The Coyotes have announced they will be moving to Salt Lake City following the conclusion of their final season in Arizona. The Utah Hockey Club, as they will be newly named, is set to begin its inaugural season in the 2025-26 campaign, marking the end of an era for the Coyotes in the Grand Canyon State.
The Coyotes' current tenure in Arizona has been one marked by uncertainty and a search for a stable home. From 2022 to 2024, the team played their home games at the intimate Mullett Arena, a 5,000-seat venue on Arizona State University's campus in Tempe. Despite efforts to find a permanent solution, the franchise's future in Arizona could not be secured, leading to their eventual move and the sale of the team by Alex Meruelo for a staggering $1.2 billion.
Ishbia's Aspiration
Amidst the upheaval, Mat Ishbia has emerged as a key figure poised to revive NHL presence in Arizona. Speaking to Sportico, Ishbia expressed his commitment to the community and a determination to restore hockey's place in the local sports landscape. "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 stated.
Indeed, Ishbia's influence in Arizona sports extends beyond potential hockey plans. As the owner of both the Phoenix Suns and the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, his involvement has already brought substantial investments and enhancements to Phoenix's sporting facilities. The Footprint Center, home to the Phoenix Mercury, recently garnered significant attention when it hosted the WNBA All-Star Game. Additionally, a state-of-the-art $100 million women's practice facility was constructed behind the arena, underscoring Ishbia's dedication to advancing top-tier sports infrastructure.
Prospects for a New Arena
Despite the Footprint Center's status as a premier venue, Ishbia also hinted at the evolving needs of the sporting community in Phoenix, indicating that future plans may encompass the development of a new arena to accommodate growing demands. "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," Ishbia noted. Such forward-thinking showcases his commitment to ensuring that Phoenix remains a competitive and vibrant sports hub.
The challenge of reintroducing NHL hockey to Arizona is not trivial, but Ishbia's track record provides a beacon of hope for fans and stakeholders alike. By merging his strategic vision with a heartfelt connection to the community, Ishbia aims to turn dreams into reality, solidifying Arizona's standing as a bustling epicenter for major league sports.
As the 2023-24 NHL season wraps up and the Coyotes bid farewell to their Arizona roots, the prospect of a new beginning under Ishbia's leadership inspires optimism. It remains to be seen how these ambitious plans will materialize, but one thing is clear—Mat Ishbia's commitment to Arizona's sporting future is unwavering.