City of Glendale receives multiple bids to manage Arizona Coyotes’ arena
Dec 27, 2015, 3:57 PM | Updated: Dec 28, 2015, 1:13 pm
PHOENIX — The city of Glendale received three bids to manage Gila River Arena, the home of the Arizona Coyotes, according to the Phoenix Business Journal.
The city of Glendale and the Coyotes agreed to a two-year lease agreement in June after a long-winded legal battle that began when the city cancelled its original 15-year, $225 million lease agreement with the team. Glendale claimed the team had broken its agreement by hiring several former city employees.
While city officials are not disclosing the names of the three bidders, the Coyotes are not bidding on this arena request, according to the article.
If the city picks a new arena manager, the Coyotes could have to move to a new arena in downtown Phoenix, Tempe or the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community.
Back in June, Arizona Coyotes co-owner Anthony LeBlanc told the Glendale City Council he does not intend to move the team, despite the short-term deal.
“We did not agree to a two-year deal so we could relocate later,” he said, adding the team is not positioning to a get a new arena.
City of Glendale spokeswoman Jeanine L’Ecuyer said the city will announce the finalists in January and could vote on a new arena manager as early as February.
