Mat Ishbia's Vision: Bringing Hockey Back to Arizona
As the Arizona Coyotes prepare to take flight to Salt Lake City following the 2023-24 campaign, there's a glimmer of hope for hockey enthusiasts in Arizona. Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner Mat Ishbia, a man known for his deep ties to the community, has expressed a keen interest in bringing an NHL team back to the state.
"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," Ishbia told Sportico. "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."
This revelation comes at a pivotal time, as the Coyotes' move marks the end of an era for the franchise in Arizona. From 2022 to 2024, the Coyotes played their home games at the intimate 5,000-seat Mullett Arena on Arizona State's campus in Tempe. Despite the unique setting, it wasn't enough to secure the team's future in the state.
Alex Meruelo, the previous owner, sold the Coyotes for a staggering $1.2 billion, setting the stage for their relocation to Salt Lake City. There, the team will reinvent itself as the Utah Hockey Club, skating into its inaugural season under the new name in 2025-26.
For Ishbia, the journey towards reinvigorating Arizona’s hockey scene could involve leveraging some of the existing sports infrastructure. The Footprint Center, a state-of-the-art facility, not only serves as the home for the Phoenix Mercury but recently hosted the WNBA All-Star Game. Additionally, a $100 million women's practice facility was constructed right behind the arena, further demonstrating the region's commitment to top-tier sports facilities.
"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 shared, hinting at potential future developments that could align with bringing an NHL team back to Arizona.
As a prominent figure in the sports world, Ishbia's interests aren't limited to basketball. His ambition and deep-seated connection with the community fume the possibility of once again making Arizona a "four-sport town." While details remain sparse, his dedication points to a possible future where fans can once again rally behind a local NHL team.
In the interim, Arizona’s hockey faithful will bid farewell to their team as it embarks on a new chapter in Salt Lake City. Yet, with Mat Ishbia at the helm, there's reason to believe that the story of hockey in Arizona is far from over.