Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia is setting ambitious goals beyond basketball. With the Arizona Coyotes preparing to move to Salt Lake City after the 2023-24 NHL season, Ishbia has expressed a keen interest in rekindling Arizona's love affair with hockey.
The Arizona Coyotes' relocation comes after a three-season stint at the 5,000-seat Mullett Arena on Arizona State's Tempe campus. A move driven by financial motives, the Coyotes were sold by Alex Meruelo for a whopping $1.2 billion. Their new incarnation as the Utah Hockey Club is set to begin in the 2025-26 season, marking the end of NHL hockey in Arizona—for now.
Embracing a New Challenge
For Ishbia, a prominent figure in Arizona sports since acquiring the Phoenix Suns and the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, the departure of the Coyotes is more of a challenge than a setback. "I'm definitely going to be part of the community, and if I can help bring hockey back, I'll look at that," Ishbia told Sportico. "It's definitely something I'm interested in. It's a four-sport town. I'm disappointed we don't have a hockey team, but I understand what happened, and we're going to try to fix that one day."
His proactive stance is consistent with other significant investments in the state's sports scene. Under his leadership, the Footprint Center, home to the Phoenix Mercury, has seen remarkable developments. Recently, the arena hosted the WNBA All-Star Game, showcasing its world-class facilities. Additionally, a $100 million women's practice facility was constructed behind the Footprint Center, further solidifying Ishbia's commitment to elevating sports infrastructure in Arizona.
A Vision for Future Growth
Despite his praise for the current state of the Footprint Center, Ishbia is aware that continuous improvements are necessary. "I think our arena is first-class right now. I love our arena. But at some point we're going to have to get a new arena," he stated, hinting at his long-term vision for maintaining top-tier sports venues in Arizona.
Bringing back an NHL team would not only satisfy the community's passion for hockey but would also cement Ishbia's standing as a transformative figure in Arizona sports. Given the logistical and financial challenges, the road to achieving this goal will be complex. However, Ishbia’s track record suggests that he has both the ambition and resources to make it happen.
Community and Commitment
Ishbia’s pledge to involve the community in his efforts underlines the importance of local engagement in his plans. Hockey fans in Arizona, though disappointed by the Coyotes' departure, have a glimmer of hope with Ishbia's commitment to exploring ways to bring the sport back. His integration into the community and unwavering interest in reviving hockey underscores a deep-rooted desire to enrich Arizona's sports culture.
While the primary focus remains on the Suns and Mercury, Ishbia's broader vision for multi-sport excellence indicates an exciting future for Arizona’s sports fans. His endeavors could lead to enhanced facilities, increased investment in sports, and potentially the return of NHL action to the state, which has long prided itself on being a comprehensive sports hub.
The confluence of Ishbia’s ambitions and Arizona’s passionate sports community creates a fertile ground for new developments. As the NHL chapter in Salt Lake City begins, the coming years will be pivotal for Arizona, with Ishbia leading the charge to redefine the state’s sports landscape.