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By Alex Coil
Cronkite News
PHOENIX – On the heels of ABOR’s approval to construct an additional locker complex, the Arizona Coyotes announced Thursday the franchise will play its home games at Arizona State’s multipurpose arena for at least the next three seasons.
The Arizona Board of Regents passed ASU’s proposal for a $134.7 million increase to its Capital Development Plan and a revision to ABOR Policy 7-208 on agreements with professional sports organizations during a public session in Tempe on Thursday afternoon.
The Coyotes announced in a statement that the franchise will now play home games at the new multipurpose arena on ASU’s campus beginning with the 2022-23 season through the 2024-25 season, with an option for the 2025-26 season.
“This will be an incredible, intimate and exciting fan experience in a state-of-the-art new arena in a fantastic location in the heart of Tempe,” Coyotes President and CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez said in a statement.
The money from the proposal will be used to construct an additional locker complex. In addition, modifications to the arena to adhere to NHL requirements are underway.
“All of the costs of the annex will be paid by the (Coyotes),” ASU Executive Vice President, Treasurer and CFO Morgan Olsen said in Thursday’s ABOR presentation. “(Dues) will be paid in advance. The team will also pay us annually, in advance, for the tenancy in the venue itself.”
ASU scheduling will take precedence over the Coyotes, Olsen said. Additionally, per the statement, the Coyotes also are negotiating with Ice Den Scottsdale for the venue to become the franchise’s full-time practice facility.
The Coyotes approached ASU in December to pursue an agreement that allows the team to play its home games at the multipurpose arena for at least the next three seasons, Olsen said.
The Coyotes are looking to use the ASU facility for at least the next three years, which would cover the expected timetable for the construction of the club’s proposed $1.7 billion arena project on the northeast corner of Priest Drive and Rio Salado Parkway in Tempe.
“Having made the full-time transition to Division I just seven years ago, ASU hockey already has an NCAA Tournament appearance to its credit and now is moving into a new, state-of-the-art facility,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. “Hockey is thriving in Tempe, and we are delighted that the Coyotes’ passionate fans will get to experience ASU’s on-campus energy while the Club’s new arena is being built.”
The additional structure and modifications to the arena will not delay construction of the venue, Olsen said. The multipurpose arena is ahead of schedule and is now expected to open in October 2022.
