(Glendale) The Arizona Coyotes may have to find a new home sooner rather than later.
The Town of Glendale has notified the team of its intention to kick the Coyotes from the Gila River Arena on December 20 if the National Hockey League organization does not settle its debts with the town and the company. responsible for the management of the amphitheater.
In a letter written by the Town Manager of the Town of Glendale and forwarded to the Coyotes on Wednesday, it is stated that the team owes a total of US $ 1.3 million, of which US $ 250,000 is due to the municipality.
The contents of the letter were first reported by specialist site The Athletic before being confirmed by an NHL official to The Associated Press. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because the Coyotes organization is due to issue an official statement on Thursday.
Phelps told the Coyotes that the Arizona State Department of Revenue had registered a notice of lien on property imposed due to unpaid taxes to the municipality and state by the IceArizona company, which owns the team.
The letter from Phelps also announces that ASM Global, responsible for the management of the Gila River Arena, has been instructed to deny access to Coyote staff if debts are not paid by 5 p.m. on December 20. .
The Coyotes have been leasing the Gila River Arena on the terms of an annual lease since the Town of Glendale council voted in 2016 to opt out of a long-term rental agreement. Last week, the City said it would not renew the Coyotes lease after the 2021-2022 season.
The team have submitted a bid to acquire land in Tempe, some 30 miles east of Glendale, in what could be the first step towards acquiring a first permanent home.