Report: Glendale exploring 12-year deal for Jobing.com Arena
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GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The City of Glendale is reportedly exploring a 12-year deal for the city-owned Jobing.com Arena, home to the Phoenix Coyotes.
According to the Glendale Star, Glendale Councilmember Gary Sherwood said the city prefers the 12-year deal over the 20-year deal it originally agreed to with Greg Jamison.
"I think and the city thinks that 12 years is a more reasonable time table and a better pill to swallow," Sherwood said. "There are negotiations going on behind the scenes and, no offense to (the press), but I think that is where they should be, behind closed doors."
Sherwood said he is in favor of a deal to keep the Coyotes in Glendale because he does not see the surrounding Westgate area surviving without an anchor tenant.
"I am a hockey fan, but I am not working on this for hockey, but for the survival of Westgate Center."
The city has been in contact with prospective buyer Greg Jamison, who missed a January deadline to purchase the team, along with a few others.
"There are the usual players that were here before, (Matthew Hulsizer and Anthony LeBlanc, Jerry Reinsdorf and Michael Reinsdorf) they are all involved and a factor."
Despite the presence of numerous interested parties, Sherwood said a deal would have to get done soon to keep the team in Glendale.
The Glendale Star said a deal would have to be completed by June or the NHL would be forced to move the team. Several cities -- including Quebec City, Las Vegas and Seattle -- have reportedly expressed interest.
