It's Still Not Built

This photo on the left is a long-distance photo of the Phoenix, Arizona skyline. It's fitting today because apparently the city wants back into the NHL game based on reports that were published today. I'm not saying that Phoenix isn't an NHL city, but it certainly had no favours done for it by Alex Meruelo and his circus surrounding the Arizona Coyotes. If there's a new owner or group kicking tires at this juncture, the NHL won't resist listening despite having other cities like Quebec City, Kansas City, and Portland with buildings available. If Atlanta can get a third team, it seems that Phoenix may be in the running for a second team, so let's take a peek at what went down in the Arizona desert today.

As stated, reports emerged today that Tom Galvin, the newly-elected chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, will form a "committee of influential figures" in an effort to bring the NHL back to the largest city in Arizona. There were no names given for who may be targeted to be part of this committee, but it seems that Galvin is already working overtime to woo Gary Bettman.

"I think of Wayne Gretzky's quote, 'You miss 100% of the shots you don't take,'" Galvin said, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. "So, I'm forming an advisory committee of visionary leaders dedicated to bringing NHL hockey back to the Valley. I've had several meetings with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, and he looks forward to working with us to identify an owner and best location for a world-class building."

You read that correctly: "several meetings with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman". I'm not saying that Phoenix is getting a team back, but it sure seems like Gary likes Phoenix. Of course, as Galvin stated, an arena in the Phoenix area needs to be built, and that hurdle still is the biggest one that any NHL franchise in the desert needs to clear. Say what you want about Glendale or Mullett Arena, but if the team isn't in Phoenix proper where it can benefit from the population and tourism this discussion should here and now.

This point was driven home after the NHL bought and sold the Arizona Coyotes franchise to Ryan and Ashley Smith where Gary Bettman stated, "We're still standing by this market and believe a team belongs here and we need a new arena." That last little "and" part is the what killed the entire Coyotes franchise in the first place as the team never really found a permanent home, and the work done by Alex Meruelo amounted to no ground being broken in the entire time he owned the team. As a result, Tom Galvin's going to have to recruit some deep pockets and a fat wallet if they want to build a new arena strictly for hockey in the Phoenix area.

It should be noted that Galvin is seen as a pro-business Republican in Phoenix, and his background in law gives him an understanding of some of the red tape that seemed to trip up Meruelo at times. There's no guarantee that he can get an arena deal done as it stands, but understanding how to avoid missteps is a good way to win points with Bettman. The point needs to be made that there's nothing in the cards when it comes to building a new arena in Phoenix right now, so that long-distance view of the city's skyline above might be perfect if the NHL were looking at a return to Phoenix.

It's great that Phoenix wants its team back after watching them head north nine months ago, but this announcement today feels like someone putting the cart before the horse. I won't deny that Gary Bettman wants back into the Phoenix market desperately, but even he understands that the timing isn't anywhere close to where it needs to be. He told Sports Business Journal in October,

"We're not focused in the short-term on going back there, but I believe that Arizona was, and could be again, a really good hockey market and a really good market for the NHL, but we're not actively pursuing anything right now. And, quite frankly, the arena situation would have to be solved before we have any interest in looking at possibilities. We've heard from people, but we're not actively pursuing anything."

That comment from the NHL commissioner should have been every reason why today's announcement needed to be tempered in a big way. Phoenix is on the NHL's radar without doubt, but, without the building and without the NHL looking for expansion options, today's announcement was the definition of "fake news". End of story.

Phoenix might be doing the right things to get back into the NHL's good books, but, like the photo above, the NHL in Phoenix is still a long, long way from being reality once again.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!