(Las Vegas) NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says the league is still committed to keeping a team in Arizona, even after a plan to build an arena for the Coyotes in Tempe was rejected during a referendum.
Bettman said the team is exploring other areas around Phoenix to build a long-term home.
“It’s a good market and if it can work, we’ll make sure it works,” Bettman said, adding that “we’ve had our share of challenges.”
Bettman, who was attending his annual press conference ahead of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers, said he was surprised and disappointed, but not shocked, at the following the result of the vote last month.
“Referendums involving sports teams are rarely successful,” Bettman said. The Islanders had one (in 2011) and lost. They had their arena. When we were looking for an expansion team in Columbus, the referendum was not passed. »
The Coyotes’ future is uncertain as the team prepares to play a second season on the Arizona State University campus in a 5,000-seat arena.
At the other end of the spectrum, the Ottawa Senators are said to be on the verge of being sold for around US$1 billion, according to Bettman.
“I’ve always found that we undervalue our teams. This situation proves that our teams are worth more than Forbes, Sportico or other investors believe, Bettman said. We enjoy an extraordinary competitive balance and that should mean greater value. I think that’s what you’re starting to see in this case. »
When the final ends, Bettman will meet Stan Bowman and Joel Quenneville, who must receive permission from the commissioner to return to the NHL. In October 2021, Bowman resigned as general manager of the Chicago Blackhawks, and Quenneville as head coach of the Florida Panthers, following an investigation into a 2010 Blackhawks sex scandal. They were found guilty of mishandling the situation.
Bettman said Bowman and Quenneville have asked for meetings and his office has told them he will discuss the matter once the playoffs are over.
Separately, the NHL has announced two outdoor games at MetLife Stadium – home of the NFL Giants and New York Jets – next season. The Philadelphia Flyers will face the New Jersey Devils on February 17, then the New York Rangers will face the Islanders the following day.
This is the first time the NHL will feature outdoor games in New Jersey.