It's been rumored for a while, and now there is proof - the Phoenix Coyotes are in serious financial trouble. They have reportedly lost $30 million in each of the last two seasons. If they cant renegotiate their lease deal, the franchise will begin looking for ways to break the lease and relocate. No team will stay where they are losing significant amounts of money preventing it from operating effectively. They have the 5th worst attendance figures in the league right now and that doesnt help their situation at all. Being in Seattle, you wouldn't have a media bigger market, but you would have a bigger hockey market. And more opportunities for corporate sponsorship. Anyways, thoughts?
http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2008/12/24/coyotes-on-the-financial-brink/
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Paul Allen actually tried to acquire the franchise roughly ten years ago but was ultimately unsuccessful. Now with another cable sports network in the area now, it might make sense for Paul to make another run for them. However, they wouldn't be going to Seattle but to Portland.
There's been no talk at all from Seattle's wealthy, about purchasing an NHL franchise. The last one in the area to own a team was Craig McCaw, when he owned the Vancouver Canucks and for a short while the Vancouver Grizzle's before selling both.
Sounds bizarre being from Seattle, but I'd rather a hockey team goes to Portland at the moment. At least they have an arena that is already built and ready to play in.
When Seattle finally chooses to build it's new arena, hopefully it can open up with 4 professional teams in it(NBA, NHL, AFL, MLL).
Perhaps Craig McCaw would be interested in a joint bid? Ballmer's group could own the new Sonics, McCaw's group could own the new NHL franchise, and together they could own and operate the arena?
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