Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia is spearheading efforts to bring professional hockey back to Arizona, following the pending relocation of the Arizona Coyotes to Salt Lake City after the 2023-24 season. The newly rebranded Utah Hockey Club is set to begin its first season in 2025-26 under this new identity.
Ishbia, who also owns the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, has shown a consistent commitment to the Phoenix sports community. "I'm definitely going to be part of the community, and if I can help bring hockey back, I'll look at that. 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," he said in a recent interview with Sportico. His comments highlight his dedication to ensuring that Phoenix continues to be a vibrant sports hub.
A New Chapter for the Coyotes
The relocation of the Coyotes marks the end of a challenging chapter for the team. From 2022 to 2024, the Coyotes played their home games at Mullett Arena, a 5,000-seat facility on Arizona State University's campus in Tempe. Despite the struggles, the franchise commanded a significant sale price, with former owner Alex Meruelo selling the team for $1.2 billion.
The Commitment to Excellence
Beyond his interest in hockey, Ishbia's tenure as the owner of the Suns and Mercury has been marked by significant investments aimed at elevating the sports experience in Phoenix. The Footprint Center, which recently hosted the WNBA All-Star Game, serves as a focal point of this commitment. A shining exemplification of this investment is the $100 million women's practice facility that was recently constructed behind the arena. This state-of-the-art facility underscores Ishbia's vision of fostering excellence across all sports.
"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," Ishbia remarked, hinting at potential future developments to further enhance the sporting infrastructure in Phoenix.
Looking Forward
As Arizona prepares to bid farewell to the Coyotes, Ishbia's aspirations to reintroduce hockey to the state reflect a broader ambition to maintain Phoenix's status as a premier sports destination. His proactive approach and significant investments in sports infrastructure suggest that Phoenix's sporting landscape will continue to thrive and potentially expand in the coming years.
The move of the Coyotes to Salt Lake City spearheads a new era for both the team and the city, as the Utah Hockey Club aims to build its own legacy starting with the 2025-26 season. Meanwhile, the commitment from Ishbia and other local sports leaders indicates a robust and determined effort to ensure that professional hockey finds its way back to the desert.