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Arizona Coyotes Sue The City Of Phoenix

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S. Harper
April 5, 2023 (9:31 PM)

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The Arizona Coyotes have been the laughing stock of the NHL for many years now, especially after having to move to play in Mullet Arena and their 4,700 fans.

Coyotes Sue Phoenix

The Coyotes have been trying to get a new actual NHL Arena again including having Commissioner Gary Bettman basically beg the tax payers to cover the bill. The Coyotes want to build in the entertainment district of Tempe, and today filed a $2.3 billion claim against the city of Phoenix for breach of contract.

The city and Sky Harbor said the plan for the Tempe Entertainment District, which would include a new home arena for the Coyotes, could not include previously approved multifamily housing due to noise issues under airport flight paths.

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"Phoenix City Hall's bad behavior seems intended to preserve its downtown sports venue monopoly and has nothing to do with safety or soundness of the airport,» Coyotes CEO and President Xavier Hernandez said in a statement. «While Phoenix bureaucrats have allowed developers to build a basketball arena, a ballpark, and apartments in flight paths, when Tempe attempts to do the same a manufactured crisis arrives.

The $2.3 billion in damages sought equal the entitlement value of the Tempe Entertainment District.

"Phoenix will respond in due course, but the developer restates the same arguments that the airport, and more importantly, the FAA has already debunked,» the city said in a statement. «At the same time, we can understand and appreciate the developer's frustration. But their frustration is misdirected. They should be frustrated with Tempe."

Many wonder how the Coyotes are still not relocated like other teams who have failed in the past especially with Quebec and Houston both hoping to get a NHL team especially in Quebec with many wanting to see the Nordiques return. I guess will have to wait and see how this plays out.