May 8, 2021; San Jose, California, USA; Arizona Coyotes defenseman Victor Soderstrom (77) during the first period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
The next home of the Arizona Coyotes could be Tempe, Ariz.
The Coyotes submitted a bid for two parcels of land in Tempe, near the campus of Arizona State University. They are looking for a new, permanent home after another city in the Phoenix metro area, Glendale, announced it would terminate its lease with the team for Gila River Arena following the 2021-22 season.
“We are pleased to have submitted a proposal to the City of Tempe,” the Coyotes said in a statement. “As regulations surrounding the RFP process dictate, we cannot comment any further at this time, but we remain incredibly excited about this extraordinary opportunity.”
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Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo promised in 2019 to keep the Coyotes in Arizona. Formerly known as the Phoenix Coyotes, the franchise has been located in the Phoenix area since 1996, when it rebranded from the Winnipeg Jets and moved to the desert.
The Coyotes have played at Gila River Arena since 2003.
The club has to vacate the arena by June 30, 2022.
–Field Level Media