Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton wants the NHL’s Coyotes and NBA’s Suns to be roomies again.
As expected, Stanton called today for the two teams to strike a deal that would allow them to share a new downtown arena.
“Building two new professional arenas in our region simply doesn’t make sense,” he said during his State of the City address.
The Coyotes and Suns used to share what’s known today as Talking Stick Resort Arena. In 2003, the hockey team moved to a new building in suburban Glendale. NHL fans don’t need to be told how things have gone there.
The Coyotes -- whose lease in Glendale expires after next season -- have been looking at a number of potential arena sites in the East Valley, while the Suns -- who concede they’ll need a new building sometime in the next few years -- have said they’re fine where they are for the time being.
So, despite Stanton’s wishes, a deal between the two teams is no certainty. The Coyotes are desperate; the Suns, less so.
Sarver said the Suns have the smallest NBA arena (square feet). A new one "is coming down the pike but it is not something that's imminent."
— Paul Coro (@paulcoro) April 19, 2016
But at the very least, this should create some dialogue.
LeBlanc admits he's very interested in continuing individual discussions with City of Phoenix and Robert Sarver regarding #Coyotes arena.
— iced tae 🌿 (@taylorsedona) April 19, 2016
Related: Back downtown for the Coyotes?
