Judge: Coyotes must increase bond, Glendale must pay team what it owes

PHOENIX — A judge on Monday ordered the Arizona Coyotes ownership to increase its bond payment to the city of Glendale by $750,000 and that the city must make its payment to ownership.

Ice Arizona vs. City of Glendale: Judge Dawn Bergin increased the bond to one million dollars.

— MC Superior Court (@courtpio) June 29, 2015

The city and NHL team are locked in a contract dispute that began when Glendale city leaders voted to drop the arena lease deal with the team in early June.

The council figuratively tore up a 15-year, $225 million deal it had made for Gila River Arena in 2013.

The Coyotes then filed a restraining order against the West Valley city to leave the deal in place.

Glendale officials were gratified by Monday’s ruling.

“We’re satisfied with the outcome,” Acting City Manager Dick Bowers said in a statement.

“We’ve said all along that our primary obligation is to our citizens. The judge’s ruling enforcing an increase in the bond payment is an assurance for our taxpayers that we’re looking out for their best interests.”

Judge Dawn Bergin increased the bond from $250,000 to $1 million and Glendale will owe the team $3.75 million on July 1.

The bond would make certain the city would get financial relief if the contract with the Coyotes is allowed to be broken.

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